Tag: ITServe

ITServe Alliance Members Across the Nation Honor Fallen Heroes, Donate Funds to Veterans on Memorial Day

Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

ITServe Alliance members representing several Chapters, led by the national and Chapter leadership, honored our Veterans and the fallen Heroes on the occasion of Memorial Day in various towns and cities across the nation on May 26, 2025.871cbea0 1351 4b47 8dd3 8605f5dbb803

Initiated and driven under the banner of ITServe Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) local CSR Teams of Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, and, Raleigh were some of the chapters that led the Memorial Day events in their respective states.

Thanks to the initiatives of Chapter Presidents, Vineeth Reddy Amaram, Austin; Abhishek Boyanapally, Dallas; Srinivas Mettu, Houston; Subramaniyam Osuru, New Jersy; and, Praveen Chakraraj, Raleigh, hundreds of ITServe members joined these events, honoring thise who have sacrificed their lives for Freedom.

ITServe Alliance Team Dallas had the distinguished honor of having Raghu Chittimalla, Governing Board Chair; Anju Vallbhaneni, National President; and Jagadeesh Mosali, Immediate past President of ITServe during the ceremony, where the Dallas Chapter members gathered at the DFW National Cemetery, placing National Flags for the Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day.

Raghu Chittimalla said, “Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. ITServe has an active membership of 2,400 + members, and 24 Chapters established across the United States, who are small & medium-sized companies that create local employment and fulfill the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in America.”

c695f444 0529 4534 8c55 d5b50d959265 “ITServe and its member community is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to local communities nationwide,” said Anju Vallabhaneni. “We recognize the sacrifices of our veterans and first responders, who selflessly serve our nation. Supporting them and their families is of utmost importance to us, as we express our gratitude for their unwavering dedication and bravery.”

As part of their continued commitment to community service, ITServe Alliance Austin Chapter donated $1,000 to the Sons of the American Revolution during the Memorial Day Flags Ceremony. This gesture is a small token of our deep gratitude for those who served and sacrificed for our nation.

“Thank you all for joining today and representing ITServe Austin Team in honoring our Veterans on the occasion of Memorial Day. Proud to be part of ITServe always at forefront in serving the community,” said Vineeth Reddy Amaram.

“A heartfelt thank you to all our members and volunteers who joined us in this meaningful tribute. Let us all participate and encourage everyone to participate in similar event. These kind of events will be very helpful to ITServe and gives us tremendous satisfaction,” said Srinivas Mettu.

“It was a great event, and every Chapter needs to do this at their cities – nothing can explain or feel good unless you attend personally – everyone attended felt proud to be part of this event today – Thank you entire CSR team – and Dallas Chapter President and core team for arranging this event,” said Abhishek Boyanapally.85ed2544 e269 4535 9dc3 96056f6eab7e

“Great giving back to heroes efforts by #TeamRaleigh,” said Praveen Chakraraj. “A heartfelt thank you to all our members and volunteers who joined us in this meaningful tribute.”

ITServe Alliance – New Jersey Chapter President, Subramaniyam Osuru after the event honoring the Veterans with Memorial Day Donation on May 26, 2025 said, “We remember our veterans with deep gratitude and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their services.”

“ITServe CSR team has embarked on a remarkable journey in the realm of CSR,” said Tanuj Gundlapalli, Managing Director for ITServe Alliance CSR. Gundlapalli expressed his “deep gratitude to all the members, volunteers, Chapter Presidents, the 10 Chairs, and our partners who are passionate and have contributed to the many CSR efforts over the past years. Your dedication and support are the driving forces behind our success. As we look to the future, I am optimistic about the positive impact we can achieve together.”

Dinesh Movva, CSR Secretary said, Come, Join us in our journey as we strive to make a meaningful difference. Together, we can transform lives, inspire change, and leave a lasting legacy of compassion and service. Let’s stand united and make our communities stronger, one step at a time.” For more details about the many noble initiatives of ITServe, please visit: www.itserve.org

 

 

 

 

ITServe Capitol Hill Day to Help Advocate For Policies That Benefit IT Industries

Ajay GhoshTechnology, Community 0

“The Capitol Hill Day planned to be organized by ITServe Alliance in Washington, DC on June 11, 2025 offers us a unique and powerful way to advocate for policies and legislation that impact the small and medium size IT industries in the United States,” said Sateesh Nagilla, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC) & Immigration. “We are encouraged by the overwhelming support from our members, who have expressed keen interest in being part of this critical event, where we have the opportunity to meet in person with US Representatives and Senators, including influential committee chairs and members, whose decisions impact our businesses.”

Reiterating that “the daylong event on Capitol Hill will have individual one-on-one meetings and interactive sessions with US Congressmen, Senators and their staff,” Anju Vallabhaneni, President of ITServe said. “ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day will serve as a critical platform in educating policymakers on important issues that impact our members and the business community, ensuring that our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes on Capitol Hill.”

“ITServe Alliance has been consistently working to protect the needs of its members,” said Sudheer Chakka, CPAC- Managing Director. “To that end, ITServe Alliance has been consistently working with the Lawmakers on behalf of its members on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration.  Capitol Day is the perfect way for ITServe Alliance to use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on the issues that are important to our members.”

Raghu Chittimalla, ITServe Alliance Governing Board Chair said, “Capitol Hill Day is a vital part of ITServe Alliance, which was born out of the necessity to be the voice of IT companies in the United States, advocating for our rights, with the objective of providing insights to lawmakers working toward meaningful changes that will benefit the IT industry and the larger society across the nation.”

According to Siva Moopanar, President-Elect of ITServe, “A major objective of the Capitol Hill Day is to showcase to the lawmakers some of the significant contributions of the ITServe members to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, and STEM education. The event will address key concerns faced by small businesses, including the need for high-skilled immigration reforms.”

CongressA key objective of ITServe has been to raise awareness among lawmakers and the broader community about the positive impact of high-skilled legal immigration programs on businesses. Through constructive engagement and collaboration with Members of Congress and Senators, ITServe aims to address misconceptions and advocate for thoughtful legislation that supports economic growth and serves the best interests of the nation.

The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation, One critical factor faced in the US Tech sector is the lack of high-skilled workers. The U.S. has a large skills gap – availability of workers vs the openings for talent in the IT sector.

The US needs the brightest minds from all over the world to keep its wide lead in technology and innovation. Foreign (nonimmigrant) workers fill a critical need in the U.S. labor market, particularly in the technology field. A large number of foreign students do not get their H1Bs work visas due to a very narrow Quota, resulting in the US losing world-class skills and talents despite providing them with top education and training in the US.

The research shows that H-1B workers complement U.S. workers, filling employment gaps in many technology occupations, and expand job opportunities for all across the United States. They play a crucial role in bolstering the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, and enriching the fabric of American society through their skills, contributions, and diverse backgrounds.

They bring diverse perspectives and knowledge to American workplaces, facilitating knowledge transfer and skills development by engaging in research and development activities, particularly in STEM fields, which contribute to scientific advancements and technological progress. Foreign-born workers with technology skills join with native-born workers with technology skills to build a dynamic economy in the United States.

Studies have shown that skilled immigrants’ contributions to the U.S. economy help create new jobs and new opportunities for economic expansion. The report, titled “New American Fortune 500 in 2024: The Largest American Companies and Their Immigrant Roots,” found that 46% of the Unicorns among the Fortune 500 companies were started by high skilled immigrants or their children.

The 230 high skilled legal immigrant-founded companies made $8.6 trillion in revenue in 2023. More than two out of five of America’s top-earning companies were founded by an high skilled legal immigrant or the child of an immigrant, a record high, according to a report by the American Immigration Council.

It is estimated that an increase in high skilled work Visas could create a significant ripple effect with an additional 1.3 million new jobs and add close to $158 billion to the gross domestic product in the United States by 2045. It would also stop or reduce the effect of the “reverse brain drain” from the US to other countries.

ITServe was born out of the necessity to protect the interests of the small and midsized IT Service companies in US.  A major objective of ITServe Alliance has been to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC team advocates on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration. Capitol Hill Day serves as a perfect platform to communicate the collective voice of 2,500 ITServe member companies with key policymakers on important issues to our members.

About ITServe Alliance:

Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. ITServe has an active membership of 1800 + members, and 24 Chapters established across the United States, who are small & medium-sized companies that create local employment and fulfill the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in America.

Together, the ITServe members have 175,000+ IT professionals employed throughout the U.S. and generate over $15 billion in revenue annually. Unlike the large IT outsourcing companies, member companies of ITServe retain the top IT talent within the US even during economic downturns.

ITServe and its member community are committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to local communities nationwide, particularly in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.  For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe’s 24th, Boston Chapter Launched

Staff ReporterBusiness, Technology 0

“It’s truly historic for ITServe Alliance to have our Boston Chapter launched, joining today with our 23 other Chapters, taking the total number of ITServe chapters to 24, spread across the United States,” said Anju Vallabhaneni, President of ITServe, the largest association of IT Solutions & Services organizations, representing over 2,500 member companies across the United States.

The historic launch event of the Boston Chapter was held at the Double Tree Hilton in Worcester, MA,on April 18th, 2025, with over150 ITServe members and sponsors from across the United States joining to celebrate this milestone. The energy was incredible as industry leaders shared their insights, setting the stage for the future of ITServe in Boston and across the United States.

Chandra Sekhar Nallam, in his response after being installed as the President of the ITServe Boston Chapter, said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to the ITServe National Leadership for placing their trust in me and appointing me as the ‘Founding President of the ITServe Boston Chapter.’ I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Boston Core Team for unanimously electing me as the first President of this prestigious Chapter.”

While acknowledging the vision and strategy of the Governing Board, Executive Board, and National Leadership, Chandra Sekhar Nallam thanked Srinivas Gattu, Sharad Patney, Ram Dondapati, Suman Kora, Chandra Yamsani, Venu Mammai, Dibs Mahanta, Prasad Chintalapudi, Prasad Maganti, and Srikanth Dasugari “for their invaluable contributions towards making the Boston Chapter possible.”

At the inaugural session, the newly formed Boston Chapter donated $5000 towards STEM Education to a local Community College and $1000 towards the local Police Department in Worcester.

In his Presidential address, Anju Vallabhaneni, President of ITServe Alliance, recalled his close association with Worcester, where he began his successful career in IT and Business 27 years ago. “I was a Programmer here in Worcester, so I have a special connection to this place,” he said. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all the Sponsors, who continue to support ITServe and its numerous initiatives. “On behalf of the ITServe leadership, I want to thank everyone for coming here today, I am proud to represent the 2,500-member company organization.”

Pointing to the role of ITServe, Vallabhaneni said, “ITServe stands up against unfair government policies and helps IT companies grow.” Quoting the famous saying, ‘if you are not at the table, you will be on the menu,’ Vallanhaneni pointed out that “We don’t want to be on the menu. In order for it to happen, we need to be unified. We need to expand, attracting more members, so that we have a lot of say in the immigration policies and expand our benefits from more companies/businesses.

Vallanhaneniexplained that ITServe provides exceptional services to members, such as discounts on immigration attorneys, telephone services, tech insurance, payroll services via ADP, FINTEX services, and more. Members also benefit from weekly webinars, networking, chapter meetings, regional meetings, and synergy sessions. ITServe has secured significant discounts from DICE and LinkedIn, and is negotiating with larger companies for great packages. These discounts can save each member $10,000 annually.

ITServe is developing a job board to make resume matching easier. Uploading a resume will show employers across the country whose requirements match your qualifications, providing a valuable benefit to members. Vallabhaneni also mentioned CSR initiatives that benefit American society and build goodwill.

Siva Moopanar, President-Elect of ITServe, said, “Boston being a tech hub, it is very vital for us, and it will be a valuable Chapter.”Pointing to the current economy, Moopanar said, IT sector is the first sector which is affected during the downturn we are seeing in the last two years, and this is the first sector to bounce back as well, and we are seeing some positive signs in the commercial sector.  “And this is the right time to launch the chapter in the right city, as Silicon Valley and Boston are the epicenters of innovation. We look forward to this chapter leading in industry trends and innovation. So, Boston chapter, we are here to help in every way. We wish your chapter to cross, first 100 members, 200 members in the coming months. We will work together to add new members to the New England chapter as well, so that both the chapters will be powerful, and we are here to help.”

Proving a broader narrative of the major contributions of ITServe in recent Years, Moopanar pointed out how, ITServe through CSR, ITSS, CPAC, and PAC, is making a lasting impact on the IT industry and the larger American society, through STEM and other philanthropic activities.“We are spending more time, more money on STEM. Several congressmen, legislators, and other leaders are appreciating our efforts.”

Referring to CPAC as the pillar of ITServe, Moopanar said, ITServe was born to address the concerns the IT industry faced due to the immigration policies that hurt the industry. “The ITServe leadership is working together on how to overcome the issues that affect our businesses. We are collecting data from the member companies to identify and address common issues that impact our members.” He urged members to reach out to PAC Team regarding any concerns regarding immigration issues.

“High skill legal immigration is the backbone of our business, not only our business, and for this country,” Moopanar said. ‘We are bringing the best and the brightest from all over the world so that the innovation happens in this country, which fuels job growth and economic and we have to work together for the betterment of our businesses, and for this country.”

“ITServe has been the center point for Information advocacy, trust building, and challenging the status quo when it matters the most. Since its inception in 2010, our organization has grown from a small network in Dallas to a nationally recognized association of IT services companies. This journey and success would not have been possible without the active participation of volunteers, members, and sponsors,” said Jagadish Mosali, the immediate past president and ITServe Governing Board member.

Amar Varada, member of  ITServe Governing Board, said, “From humble beginnings to being a national force, ITServe has continuously grown by fostering collaboration, advocating for policy changes, and driving innovation in the IT industry. We are now a community of 2500+ members contributing over $12 billion to the U.S. economy, creating 150,000+ high-paying jobs, and we’re just getting started!”

In his keynote address, Gururaj Deshpande, Entrepreneur & Venture Capitalist and Philanthropist, who invests in creating social and economic impact through entrepreneurship and innovation,  shared with the audience key insights on ways to build and grow businesses in a fast-changing world.

Deshpande explained the gap in the product business ecosystem, highlighting the role of service companies in bridging it. He emphasized AI’s transformative impact, noting its potential to change lives and businesses. Major players like Open AI, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Elon Musk are investing heavily, making AI vital for future success. Deshpande urged companies to familiarize themselves with AI technologies and integrate them into their clients’ businesses to stay ahead. Understanding both technology and client needs will be key to winning in the AI-driven future.

Ramesh Razdan, Global Chief Technology & Information Officer at Bain, discussed various forces shaping the world today. He emphasized the disruptive impact of AI, the post-globalization era, the need for a sustainable society, and the effects of rising interest rates on businesses. Razdan highlighted the importance of leadership and responsible citizenship in addressing these challenges. He urged individuals to focus on continuous learning, upskilling talent, and fostering innovation to adapt to these changes. Razdan’s insights underscored the need for strategic action to build a better future.

Ramesh Garlapati, Director, ITServe PR & Media expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the attendees, sponsors, and partners who made this event possible. “Together, we continue to drive innovation and growth in the IT services and consulting industry! Your support drives our mission forward. Here’s to the continued growth of ITServe as we expand, empower, and innovate!”

Since its establishment in 2010, ITServe Alliance has been a beacon of knowledge, skills, and awareness, empowering its members through 24 Regional Chapters across the country. ITServe Alliance has built a strong member-focused community within the IT industry where professionals and experts alike can collaborate, present new business ventures, and work together to find new ways to overcome industry obstacles. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

IAPC 10th Annual International Media Conference Held In Pennsylvania

Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

The 10th annual International Media Conference and the 12th anniversary celebrations being organized by the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization representing media professionals of Indian origin in North America, was organized at The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania from May 3-5, 2025 with the lighting of the Traditional Lamp by honored dignitaries, guests, IAPC leaders, Chapter leaders, and, media and community leaders from across the world.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Media at the Crossroads: Truth, Technology, and Global Responsibility” a topic that holds immense significance in today’s interconnected and rapidly changing media world. Dozens of media persons from the United States, Canada and India participated at the power packed conference, which included workshops and panel discussions on social media influence.

Attended by renowned journalists, media professionals, writers, and community leaders, the conference provided a perfect setting for discussions on media excellence, role of media in a fast changing media landscape, innovation and challenges faced by the mainstream media, and global collaboration. Marking a decade of fostering connections among media professionals, the conference provided a vital platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and building meaningful collaborations.

IAPC 10thIMC 20 scaledParticipants at the Conference were part of insightful panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by media experts, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving world of journalism. With digital transformation and press freedom remaining critical global issues, the conference facilitated discussions on key challenges and potential solutions shaping the future of journalism.

Dr. Indranil Basu Ray, Chair of IAPC BOD, shared with the audience his many plans for the organization that he has been chosen to lead. He said, “I am planning to start a new channel magazine every week called Indian American News with the objective of sharing news as well as to advertise IAPC and generating funds to manage IAPC needs,” Dr. Basu Ray shared his plans to organize a larger IMC in the United States and a media conference in India.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Babu Stephen highlighted the role of media, the challenges faced by journalists across the globe, and the contributions and achievements of the Indian American Diaspora in the United States.

In his felicitation remarks, former Chairman of IAPC, Mr. Kamlesh C. Mehta, a respected media entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader, reiterated his commitment to create a News Agency by IAPC members which will keep IAPC and its members in the limelight and bring in revenue.

Romy Mathew, a journalist at the Manorama News; Gopikrishnan, a renowned cartoonist and social commentator at 24 News; Smuruthy Paruthikad, Executive Editor and author at Reported TV; and, Madhu Saji, Senior News subeditor at Mathrubhumi News, shared with the IAPC delegates their perspectives on the Role of Media in the modern world, in the face of many headwinds faced by journalists to be objective and authentic in reporting.

These famed journalists, who came all the away from India to be part of the IMC, led an insightful and thought provoking seminar on the challenges and opportunities faced by the media landscape today. They were joined by James Chacko and Joseph at the Seminar. Contributing to the lively discussion.

IAPC honored Romy Mathew, Gopikrishnan, Smuruthy Paruthikad, Madhu Saji , and Ilaibharthy, a dedicated media professional affiliated with the Canadian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation (CTBC Radio)with Media Excellence Awards for their contributions to the media world.

Dr. Eapen Daniel led a powerful seminar on the Influence of Digital Transformation on Mainstream Journalism. Ajay Ghosh, James Kureekatil, and Varghese Korason were other panelists at the seminar. Brain Drain was the topic discussed by a powerful panel led by Dr. Indranil Basu Ray, who was joined by Prakash Shah, Rohit Vyas, James Kureekatil, and Varghese Korason.

IAPC conferred Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 on: Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Anju Vallabhaneni, Prakash A. Shah, Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy, Sam Maddula, Madhavan B. Nair, Dr. Babu Stephen, Bob Varghese, and Rohit Vyas for their accomplishments and contributions to the larger society during the inaugural ceremony. Kimberly Pine, Director at Ignite Investments was recognized for her role in the success of the Ignite Investments through raising capitol for private equity placements and fostering investor relationships with high-net-worth clients.

IAPC 10thIMC 122 scaledDr. Vemuri S. Murthy is the co-investigator of a ground-breaking Cardiac Arrest Registry in India, “Warangal Area Cardiac Arrest Registry”. Dr. Murthy, a past President of the Chicago Medical Society and Indian American Medical Association (Illinois), has received several prestigious national and international awards and a Medal of US Congress as “Global Champion of Resuscitation” for his professional and community service contributions in the USA and India.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), has dedicated his career to treating patients and actively supporting various nonprofit organizations. Dr Kathula’s love for his motherland led him to establishing a state-of-the-art pharmacy college in Warangal in Telangana. He conducted several medical camps close to his native place and donated a defibrillator, water purification plant, and library to his native place.
Anju Vallabhaneni, the national President of ITServe Alliance, a non-profit association representing over 2,500 IT companies across the United States, is a highly committed leader with extensive expertise in global delivery and a deep passion for community service. His impressive academic background and his leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in managing businesses with revenues ranging from $5 million to over $100 million. He is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, actively supporting over ten non-profit organizations.

Dr. Babu Stephen, a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the Indo-American Press club, was honored with the award for his contributions to the Indian American community. He is the CEO of DC Healthcare Inc, and the president of SM Reality LLC in Washington, and has been politically well-connected in both Washington DC and Kerala.

Prakash Shah, Chairman and Chief Executive of First Growth Mortgage and Realty Group, is the current President of the Global Organization for the People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International. With over 45 years of global experience in mortgage banking, venture capital, and financial leadership, Mr. Shah has served on boards appointed by both U.S. Presidents and state governors. A founding member of several national organizations, he remains a key figure in the Indian diaspora’s growth.

Bob Varghese, an Indian entrepreneur who has created a glittering trail, Bob Varghese, stands tall among the emigrant Malayalis in the US. The fame and goodwill made by Vincente Jewelers in the last three decades is unparalleled and a story of pride for the community. His name is familiar not just among the business community in New York’s Long Island, but also the whole of the US. As proprietor of B & D Diamonds, he is well-connected with other international diamond merchants.

Sam Maddula, Founder & CEO of Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy, is a distinguished leader, visionary entrepreneur, and dedicated philanthropist. He was born in a rural village in India, poor and legally blind, faced with a future clouded with uncertainty and with no opportunity to exist. His life story is one of purpose, impact, and a relentless commitment to building a brighter future for all. Today, Sam Maddula is on a mission to create a transformative impact on healthcare and society.

Madhavan B. Nair (MBN), widely recognized for his commitment to public service, cultural engagement, and philanthropy, has long devoted himself to advancing the well-being of the Indian-American community through diverse leadership roles and grassroots initiatives. He is the Founder and Patron of the North American Malayalee Association of Malayalees (NAMAM), and has served as President of FOKANA. In 2017, Mr. Nair established the MBN Foundation as the principal vehicle for his philanthropy.

Ginsmon Zacharia, Founder Chairman of Indo American Press Club, shared with the audience the history, the objectives and the achievements of IAPC in thew past 12 years. This was followed by a brief video presentation highlighting the history and achievements of IAPC.

During a Special Address by IAPC’s former Chairman Dr. Babu Stephen, he highlighted the importance of family staying untied and parents finding time to spend with children for closer bonds.

IAPC 10thIMC 370 scaledThe IAPC Souvenir Video edition was released after a video introduction by Dr. Mathew Joys, Chair of the Souvenir Committee and a short visual highlight of the souvenir on the screen, giving a glimpse of the beautifully curated content and memories it holds. In addition, the book “The Citizen Journalist,” written by Dr. Matthew Joys and providing guidelines for new media workers, was released by former Chairman Dr. Babu Stephen in the presence of eminent journalist Romi Mathew. The book is a compelling exploration of truth-telling in the modern world, blending insights from his rich experience in media, ethics, and civic engagement. Dr. Joys was then honored in absentia as one of the most prolific voices in the Indian American media community.

Believing in nurturing and preserving our cultural heritage – and that includes the beauty and richness of our Indian languages, Shreshta Bhasha Malayalam, a video-based Malayalam language learning series created by Prof. Joy Pallattumadom was launched during the ceremony.

A Movie Trailer, THE GREEN ALERT, was shown to the audience as way of recommitting to the preservation of the ecological balance for future generations.

Felicitation by Community Leaders included, Sunney Mattamana, President of FOKANA International – Federation of Kerala Associations in North America; Dr. Kala Shahi, a respected voice in education, community health, and the International Coordinator of FOKANA International; Shalu Punnoose (FOMAA); Vice President of FOMAA; Paul Karukappillil (FOKANA), a community leader and the past chairman and past president; Biju Chacko, a community leader known for his dedication to service and governance, currently a Senior Manager at Northwell Health; Jomy George – Chapter President, Atlanta; C G Daniel – Board of Directors; Korason Varghese – Board of Directors, IAPC; James Kurikkattil – Executive Vice President, IAPC.

IAPC presented some of the community leaders, who have played a significant role in strengthening our community ties and supporting the vision of the Indo-American Press Club with Recognition Awards. They included: Cigil Palackalody, Treasurer of FOMAA; Dr. Annie Libu, representing the World Malayalee Federation (WMF); Sudhakar Menon, Executive Director of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce and partner at Woodlands Resort in the scenic Poconos; Kamlesh C. Mehta, founder of Forsyth Media Group and the visionary behind The South Asian Times and The Asian Era; Jacob Abraham, the CEO of Hedge Events and the publisher of Hedge News, widely recognized for his excellence in event management and financial journalism; Dr. Mathew Joys, Vice Chairman of IAPC and a respected writer and columnist across North America and one of the earliest members of the Indo-American Press Club; Able Cherian, founder and Managing Director of Geobel Exhibition Services LLC; and, Joseph John, Joseph John, a Calgary-based journalist, community leader, and cultural advocate.

IAPC Founding Chairman Ginsmon Zachariah and President Azad Jayan delivered the welcome address, and the General Secretary of IAPC Shan Justus and BOD member CG Daniel proposed vote of thanks. The event was eloquently emceed by Patricia Umashankar, Brioona Gins, and Sameera Kavanal. Jenson Kuriakose entertained the participants with melodious songs from the movie world.

Over the past 12 years, through annual conferences, networking events, and training programs, IAPC has played a key role in advocating for ethical journalism while strengthening the connection between Indian American media professionals and mainstream journalism.

As the media landscape continues to change, this conference serves as a critical forum for innovation, ethical discourse, and collaboration, ensuring that journalists remain at the forefront of truth, integrity, and impactful storytelling.

Since its inception in 2013, the Indo-American Press Club has become a leading voice for Indian-origin journalists in North America. With active chapters in multiple cities—including Alberta, Atlanta, Connecticut, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC—the organization continues to champion press freedom, journalistic integrity, and professional development. For details on registration, participation, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the official IAPC website at www.indoamericanpressclub.com

IAPC 10thIMC 318 scaled

ITServe Announces Synergy 2025 During Kick Off Event In New Jersey

Ajay GhoshBusiness, Technology 0

(Plainsboro, NJ – May 7, 2025) “ITServe Alliance’s signature event, Synergy 2025, our annual conference will be held, in Puerto Rico, for the first time outside of the United States, at the popular Puerto Rico Convention Center from December 4-5, 2025” Manish Mehra, Director – Synergy 2025 announced here at the Weston Hotel Ballroom during a Kick off event that was attended by over 500 ITServe members, entrepreneurs, sponsors, and business magnates from across the nation.

Organized by a team of dedicated Synergy leaders led by Mehra, showcasing their unwavering dedication and support, who are committed in ensuring the seamless execution of this one of a kind event, the kickoff event was coordinated and executed by the New Jersey Chapter under the leadership of Subrahmanyam Osuru, and the East Coast Region consisting of the Chapters, including Boston, DMV, Maryland, New England, New Jersey,  New York, and Philadelphia.

A dedicated and passionate Team of Synergy leadership launched the Synergy 2025 visual presentation, Synergy Journal Cover Page, and spoke enthusiastically about the great benefits being offered to the Synergy Platinum, Elite and Diamond members, urging all to join in the incredible event that Synergy 2025 promises to be.

In his inaugural address, Raghu Chittimalla, Governing Board Chair of ITServe shared with the participants about the origins of ITServe. “ITServe was born of the necessity to be the collective voice of small and mediums size IT companies in the United States, safeguarding their interests and needs.” He pointed out to the litigations ITServe initiated and won against the unfair policies of the US government. “Founded with the vision to provide a collaborative platform for IT professionals and businesses, we have grown into the largest association of IT services organizations in the nation,” he added.

Anju Vallabhaneni, in his presidential address highlighted the numerous benefits for member companies by joining ITServe. At ITServe Alliance, we are dedicated to uniting and empowering IT services and consulting firms across the United States. “t ITServe Alliance, we provide a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to help your business thrive. Join our community to access the best support and resources tailored to your needs,” he said. “Mentoring, Networking, Education, Investing, Giving Back to the Community are only some of the numerous benefits ITServe offers to its 2,500 member companies.”

Siva Moopanar, President-Elect of ITServe said, “At ITServe, we are the voice of prestigious IT companies across the United States. During these challenging times for the economy, our respected platform fosters collaboration and initiates measures to protect shared interests and ensure collective success. By connecting with like-minded professionals, you can grow your business and navigate the fast-paced IT landscape with confidence.” Moopanar pointed to how there are 400 dedicated leaders of ITServe who are available to every new member for mentoring and guiding every step of the way to be successful ITServe leaders, who can make great impact on not only the IT Sector but also to the larger community through ITServe’s CSR activities.

Prominent among those who addressed the event were, ITServe Governing Board Directors, Amar Varada, Vinay Mahajan, and Jagadish Mosali. During the kick off event, ITServe as part of its CSR activity, donated $1,000 to the local Police Department, who will use the amount towards their Drone Initiative to support and protect the community.

Suresh Kandala, Associate Director, Synergy 2025 said, “Synergy 2025 will provide a platform for 3,000+ CXOs from hundreds of multi-national companies come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, and participate in interactive breakout sessions, deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.”

With an esteemed panel of keynote speakers, industry experts, and thought leaders, who will share their insights and best practices on a diverse range of topics, Synergy 2025 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors and supporters, to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.

The keynote address during the kickoff was delivered by Navin Goel, Chief Executive Officer.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA, who has an incredibly successful career as former CIO of Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. Navin was also the Former Chairman and CEO of Sogeti USA, a subsidiary of Capgemini.

In his address on AI and Its Impact of IT Staffing, praised the contributions of the Indian American IT leaders. “You have contributed to the transformation, sustainability and the growth in America/ I can assure you, if you were not there, the GDP would probably go back by half a percent in United States, and we would not have had all the might of the software engineering that today sustains us.”

Referring to the artificial intelligence, Goel told the ITServe leaders, “If you all look at our history, our clients are as clueless as we may feel helpless. And that means, there is a great opportunity to help them navigate the AI world, which means an incredible consulting opportunity, and that’s what we have to do. But there is a skill issue that I would definitely bring to the table, that the talent base of the past, the workforce that gave us the quantitative edge in application development, is no longer as desirable. We need people who are smarter with algorithms, scalability, depth of algorithms, and also multi-disciplinary. So these domain-based models are where the investment is going on. And people who can do that need to have the core skills, but also knowledge of the domain.”

While proposing Vote of Thanks, Subrahmanyam Osuru said,  “My Core Team deserves special accolades for their tireless efforts; this achievement would not have been possible without their collective expertise and commitment. ITServe Alliance is thrilled to unlock new opportunities and ignite your success at Synergy 2025.”

Vallabhaneni expressed his gratitude for the generous support from the Grand Sponsors, Platinum Sponsors, and Event Sponsors, which is crucial in making Synergy a success. He expressed his appreciation to the East Coast Regional leadership of ITServe and all the leaders of ITServe who have flown in from across the nation to be part of the Regional Meeting and the Synergy Kickoff.

As the largest association of IT services, staffing, and consulting organizations in the U.S., ITServe Alliance is your gateway to growth and collaboration. Our robust platform supports networking, knowledge sharing, and advancing business interests, helping you thrive in a competitive market. Join and experience the benefits of being part of a powerful community committed to your success. For more details please visit: www.itserve.org

IAPC 10th Annual International Media Conference Inaugurated In Pennsylvania

Ajay GhoshMedia 0

The 10th annual International Media Conference and the 12th anniversary celebrations being organized by the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization representing media professionals of Indian origin in North America, was inaugurated at The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania on May 3rd, 2025 with the lighting of the Traditional Lamp by honored dignitaries, guests, IAPC leaders, Ginsmon Zachariah, and Chapter leaders, and, media leaders from across the world.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Media at the Crossroads: Truth, Technology, and Global Responsibility” a topic that holds immense significance in today’s interconnected and rapidly changing media world. Dozens of media persons from the United States, Canada and India participated at the power packed conference, which included workshops and panel discussions on social media influence.IAPC 10th Annual International Media Conference Inaugurated In Pennsylvania 1

Attended by renowned journalists, media professionals, writers, and community leaders, the conference provided a perfect setting for discussions on media excellence, role of media in a fast changing media landscape, innovation and challenges faced by the mainstream media, and global collaboration. Marking a decade of fostering connections among media professionals, the conference provided a vital platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and building meaningful collaborations.

Dr. Indranil Basu Ray, Chair of IAPC BOD, among his many plans for the organization that he has been chosen to lead, stated, “I am planning to start a new channel magazine every week called Indian American News with the objective of sharing news as well as to advertise  IAPC and generating funds to manage IAPC needs,” Dr. Basu Ray shared his plans to organize a larger IMC in the United States and a media conference in India.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Babu Stephen highlighted the role of media, the challenges faced by journalists across the globe, and the contributions and achievements of the Indian American Diaspora in the United States.

Participants at the Conference were part of insightful panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by media experts, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving world of journalism. With digital transformation and press freedom remaining critical global issues, the conference facilitated discussions on key challenges and potential solutions shaping the future of journalism.

Romy Mathew, a  journalist and author of The Citizen Jounralist at the Manorama News; Gopikrishnan, a renowned cartoonist and social commentator at 24 News; Smuruthy Paruthikad, Executive Editor and author at Reported TV; and, Madhu Saji Senior News subeditor at Mathrubhumi News, shared with the IAPC delegates their perspectives on the Role of Media in the modern world, in the face of many headwinds faced by journalists to be objective and authentic in reporting.

On May 4th, these famed journalists, who came all the away form India to be part of the IMC, led an insightful and thought provoking seminar on the challenges and opportunities faced by the media landscape today. They were joined by James Chacko and Joseph at the Seminar. Contributing to the lively discussion.

Dr. Eapen Daniel led a powerful seminar on Influence of Digital Transformation Mainstream Journalism. Ajay Ghosh, James Kureekatil, and Varghese Korason were other panelist at the seminar. Brain Drain was the topic discussed by the 3rd seminar led by Dr. Indranil Basu Ray, who was joined by Prakash Shah, Rohit Vyas,  James Kureekatil, and Varghese Korason.IAPC 10th Annual International Media Conference Inaugurated In Pennsylvania 3

IAPC honored Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Dr. Anju Vallbhaneni, and Dr. Babu Stephen with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their accomplishments and contributions to the larger society during the inaugural ceremony. Kimberly Pine, Director at Ignite Investments was recognized for her role in the success of the Ignite Investments through raising capitol for private equity placements and fostering investor relationships with high-net-worth clients.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, is  the President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). A clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine,  Dr. Kathula has authored several scientific papers and articles in medical journals and has authored a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. Dr Kathula’s love for his motherland has manifested in him setting up humanitarian and medical projects in India. The most important of them is establishing a state-of-the-art pharmacy college in Warangal in Telangana, where he grew up.

In his address, Dr. Kathula stressed the vital role being played by the media in a fast changing world, and of the many noble initiatives of AAPI benefitting the people of India and the United States. “One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, represents the over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States,” he said.

Anju Vallabhaneni is a highly committed leader with extensive expertise in global delivery and a deep passion for community service. He is the National President of ITServe Alliance, a non-profit association representing over 2,500 IT companies across the United States. Anju’s impressive academic background and his leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in managing businesses with revenues ranging from $5 million to over $100 million. He is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, actively supporting over ten non-profit organizations. His commitment to giving back to the community highlights his belief in the importance of social responsibility.

In his response after being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Vallabhaneni, while speaking about ITServe, said, “Mentoring, Networking, Education, Investing, Giving Back to the Community are only some of the numerous benefits ITServe offers to its 2,500 member companies.” In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Vallabhaneni said, “What gives me joy is that I am able to give back to the community through my support to various not for profit organizations.”

Dr. Babu Stephen, a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the Indo-American Press club, was honored with the award for his contributions to the Indian American community. He is the CEO of DC Healthcare Inc, and the president of SM Reality LLC in Washington, and has been politically well-connected in both Washington DC and Kerala. He has dabbled in media and having arrived in America over four decades ago, and has been among the first generation of Indian community builders here. In his acceptance speech for the award for excellence in business, he recounted the Indian American community’s landmark achievements in all walks of life here – and we have only started, he said.

IAPC President Azad Jayan delivered the welcome address and the General Secretary of IAPC Shan Justus proposed vote of thanks. The event was eloquently emceed by Patricia Umashankar, Brioona Gins, and Sameera Kavanal. Jenson Kuriakose entertained the participants  with  his melodious songs from Malayalam movies.

Through annual conferences, networking events, and training programs, IAPC has played a key role in advocating for ethical journalism while strengthening the connection between Indian American media professionals and mainstream journalism.

As the media landscape continues to change, this conference serves as a critical forum for innovation, ethical discourse, and collaboration, ensuring that journalists remain at the forefront of truth, integrity, and impactful storytelling.

Since its inception in 2013, the Indo-American Press Club has become a leading voice for Indian-origin journalists in North America. With active chapters in multiple cities—including Alberta, Atlanta, Connecticut, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC—the organization continues to champion press freedom, journalistic integrity, and professional development. For details on registration, participation, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the official IAPC website at www.indoamericanpressclub.com

Indo-American Press Club Announces Awardees for 10th Annual International Media Conference in Pennsylvania

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Media 0

The Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization representing media professionals of Indian origin in North America, has announced the awardees who will honored at the 10th annual International Media Conference from May 3 to May 5, 2025 at The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania.

The Media Conference will have participation from renowned journalists, media professionals, writers, and community leaders for discussions on media excellence, innovation, and global collaboration.

Marking a decade of fostering connections among media professionals, the conference will provide a vital platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and building meaningful collaborations. Attendees can expect insightful panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by media experts, offering valuable perspectives on the evolving world of journalism.

With digital transformation and press freedom remaining critical global issues, the conference will facilitate discussions on key challenges and potential solutions shaping the future of journalism.

Dr. Satheesh Kathula. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Dr. Satheesh Kathula, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, practicing Medicine for over two decades, is the President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Dr. Kathula is a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University-Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. He has authored several papers and articles in medical journals and has authored a book, describing his journey as an immigrant physician. The book is being released today at our Conference.

Dr. Kathula has dedicated his career to treating patients and actively supporting various nonprofit organizations. He strongly believes that acquiring new knowledge is crucial for professionals, especially physicians, with a changing healthcare environment. Recently, Dr. Kathula acquired a certificate from Stanford University in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. He graduated in May 2024 from Harvard University completing a “Global Healthcare Leaders Program.”

Dr. Kathula was the President and founding member of the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as the President of the ATMGUSA (Association of Telugu Medical Graduates in USA). In addition, he has worked with the Ohio State Medical Association on various issues. He has been actively involved in community service locally, nationally, and internationally for the last two decades. He was awarded ‘Man of the Year – 2018’ by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Not satisfied with his personal and professional achievements, Dr. Kathula has been active in the Indian community. With the objective of enabling Physicians of Indian Origin to give back to their motherland, India, he organized the Global Healthcare Summit is New Delhi, India in October this year.

Dr Kathula’s love for his motherland has manifested in him setting up humanitarian and medical projects in India. The most important of them is establishing a state-of-the-art pharmacy college in Warangal in Telangana, where he grew up. Named the Pathfinder Institute of Pharmacy and Educational Research (PIPER), the non-profit with Dr Kathula as the Chairman, provides quality education and has already graduated over 1,000 students who are now working in different parts of India and abroad. He conducted several medical camps close to his native place and donated a defibrillator, water purification plant, and library to his native place.

In 2024, Dr. Kathula was honored with the Inspirational Award given by Raising Awareness of Youth with Autism (RAYWA) Foundation for his contributions to the country, particularly in the field of healthcare, and his

Anju Vallabhaneni – Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Anju Vallabhaneni is a highly committed leader with extensive expertise in global delivery and a deep passion for community service. He is the National President of ITServe Alliance, a non-profit association representing over 2,500 IT companies across the United States.

Anju’s impressive academic background includes an Engineering degree and an MBA. His career spans more than 25 years, during which he has served as President and CEO of several companies in North America, Latin America, and India.

His leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in managing businesses with revenues ranging from $5 million to over $100 million.

In 2002, Anju founded United Software Group (USG), a company that has seen tremendous growth under his guidance. Over the past two decades, USG has expanded to employ over 2,000 professionals worldwide. The company’s success has been recognized on a national scale; Inc. 5000 listed USG among America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, and it was ranked #107 in the US-Midwest region in 2024.

Anju’s dedication extends beyond his professional achievements. He is deeply involved in philanthropic efforts, actively supporting over ten non-profit organizations. His commitment to giving back to the community highlights his belief in the importance of social responsibility.

Beyond his professional and philanthropic endeavors, Anju is also a seasoned athlete. He has completed more than 25 marathons, demonstrating his discipline, perseverance, and dedication in both his personal and professional life.

Anju is also a seasoned athlete, having completed over 25 marathons. Anju Vallabhaneni’s multifaceted career and contributions make him a deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025, a testament to his enduring impact on the IT industry and his unwavering commitment to community service and personal excellence.

Prakash A. Shah. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Prakash Shah, Chairman and Chief Executive of First Growth Mortgage and Realty Group, is the current President of the Global Organization for the People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International. He is a Founding Life Member of GOPIO, Asian American Hotel Owner’s Association (AAHOA ), National Federation of Indian Association and the New York City based India Chamber of Commerce of America, which he led for 15 Years, He is a former Chairman of New Jersey Development Authority and President Clinton’s Appointee to the Board of $108 Million  Southern Africa Fund for 12 Countries of Southern Africa and Chair of the Board’s Investment Committee,

Prakash Shah served as the Chairman of New Jersey Development Authority under Governors Florio and Whitman. Mr. Shah was the Global Ambassador of GOPIO and later on, he was the Convener of the GOPIO Convention 2024 in New Jersey.

Mr. Shah, a well-respected leader in the Indian diaspora community, has more than 45 years of experience in the areas of mortgage banking, international investment banking, venture capital, financial management, computer systems and management sciences. Prior to founding First Growth, a financial company, Mr. Shah was concurrently Managing Directo of Asian Oceanic Group (a merchant banking group based in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore). Mr. Shah was Vice President of American Express Bank Ltd. and was responsible for the strategic planning and management information systems departments.

Mr. Shah was elected as a Hillary Clinton Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Shah received a B.S.M.E. degree from the University of Baroda (India) in 1967, an M.S. degree in Management Sciences from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1969, and in 1971, completed course work for a Ph.D. at New York University. Mr. Shah holds Real Estate and Title Insurance Producer Licenses and is a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Hotel Owner (CHO).

Dr. Vemuri S Murthy, MD, MS, FAHA, FICS. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Dr. Vemuri S. Murthy is an alumnus of Guntur Medical College and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India (General Surgery). A former Chicago Anesthesiologist (and Department Chairman) for over thirty years, he is currently an Associate Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Dr. Murthy introduced the resuscitation training model for Indian Medical Colleges at Dr.NTR University of Health Sciences in 2012. He has been affiliated with the American Heart Association (AHA) for over thirty years in various capacities, such as Member of the International Committee, National Faculty and Advisor to AHA International Training Centers in India.

Dr. Murthy is a visiting professor at various Indian medical institutes, such as the All India Institute of  Medical Sciences.He chaired many Resuscitation and Emergency Medical Care Conferences in India, AHA ReSS sessions program in the USA, lectured at acclaimed US Medical Universities and authored resuscitation-related Journal articles and Cardiology book chapters. He is the co-investigator of a ground-breaking Cardiac Arrest Registry in India, “Warangal Area Cardiac Arrest Registry”.

Dr. Murthy founded Chicago Medical Society’s Community CPR Project SMILE (Saving More Illinois Lives through Education) in 2011. As an Advisor to the Odisha State Government (Health and Family Welfare), he initiated India’s first State Governmental community CPR training project in Odisha in 2023. He also founded the first Indo-US Community Health and CPR Training Center at the National India Hub, Schaumburg, Illinois, USA (2024).

Dr. Murthy, a past President of the Chicago Medical Society and Indian American Medical Association (Illinois), has received several prestigious national and international awards including two Lifetime Achievement Awards and a Medal of US Congress as “Global Champion of Resuscitation” for his professional and community service contributions in the USA and India. He has  been contributing to Indo-US News media articles and videos raising awareness of Heart disease and Cardiac Arrests among Indians and Indian diaspora for over two decades.

Sam Maddula. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Sam Maddula, Founder & CEO of Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy, is an esteemed leader, entrepreneur, and committed philanthropist. His life transformed dramatically when his parents discovered an Eye Camp set up by the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) in 1987 in Andhra Pradesh. This camp enabled him to overcome legal blindness and poverty, changing his life trajectory from darkness to light.

After earning his doctorate in pharmaceutical studies from Rutgers University, Maddula founded a specialty pharmacy in 2010, focusing on mental health and substance disorders. His leadership propelled Bank’s Apothecary Specialty Pharmacy to generate $350 million in annual revenue, becoming the largest independently held behavioral health specialty pharmacy with operations in 16 states.

With over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation in healthcare and specialty pharmacy, Maddula’s expertise spans business, medicine, and philanthropy. His ventures aim to improve lives through healthcare innovation and support both for-profit and non-profit initiatives. He established the Maddula Foundation, contributing significantly to healthcare and educational initiatives for underserved communities.

Maddula serves on the Executive Advisory Council Board at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, the Board of Directors at Liguori Academy, and the Eye Foundation of America. He is a renowned speaker on healthcare, philanthropy, and leadership, with two decades of experience as a pharmacist, clinician, and CEO. Maddula mentors aspiring pharmacists and continues to advocate for a more equitable society through various non-profits and civic organizations.

A passionate philanthropist, Maddula has contributed significantly to the Eye Foundation of America and mentors the next generation of leaders. His commitment to giving back is evident in his active involvement in community service and advocacy for societal change.

Madhavan B. Nair. Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Madhavan B. Nair (MBN) is a Chartered Financial Consultant and esteemed community leader, renowned for his dedication to public service, cultural involvement, and philanthropy. Based in New Jersey, he has long committed himself to advancing the well-being of the Indian-American community through various leadership roles and grassroots initiatives.

Professionally, Mr. Nair is the Principal and owner of MBN Insurance & Financial Services Inc., where he has built a strong reputation for trust, integrity, and service. His entrepreneurial career provided a solid foundation for his broader involvement in community development.

Mr. Nair is the Founder and Patron of the North American Malayalee Association of Malayalees (NAMAM), established in 2010 with the objectives of supporting and uplifting Indian culture and heritage among Indian immigrants in the USA. From 2018 to 2020, he served as President of FOKANA (Federation of Kerala Associations in North America), extending his leadership both across North America and internationally. Under his stewardship, FOKANA’s relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Kerala floods received widespread appreciation.

In 2017, Mr. Nair established the MBN Foundation as the principal vehicle for his philanthropy. Upon retiring from full-time business in 2025, he dedicated himself entirely to advancing its mission. Today, the Foundation is devoted to nurturing student skill development and championing cancer-prevention initiatives—addressing urgent needs in education and healthcare to deliver lasting impact.

In 2023, Mr. Nair published two essay collections—’Sunlit Signs’ (in English) and ‘Veyil Kaazhchakal’ (in Malayalam)—in which he reflects on political developments, pivotal historical events, and pressing global affairs.

Leveraging his professional achievements and unwavering commitment to social causes, Mr. Nair has firmly established himself as a distinguished and influential leader within both the Indian American community and the larger society.

Rohit Vyas — Lifetime Achievement Award 2025

Rohit Vyas is an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and a veteran international broadcast journalist whose distinguished career spans over four decades across television, print, and documentary media. As the former News Director, Senior Vice President, and Principal Nightly News Anchor at TV ASIA (USA), he played a pivotal role in shaping the voice of one of the most influential South Asian networks in North America.

Prior to that, he served as News Director and Principal Anchor for Vision of Asia News, CH 47, delivering trusted news to the New York Tri-State area. In addition to his editorial leadership, Rohit Vyas serves as Chief Advisor to ITV Gold (USA), continuing to guide the network’s journalistic and programming strategy.

His editorial footprint extends to print journalism, where he was the Editor of several publications, including the International Observer, a newsweekly dedicated to United Nations affairs and global diplomacy. A respected figure in international media circles, he is a long-standing member of the United Nations Correspondents Association (for over 40 years) and a former member of the White House Traveling Media Delegation, covering pivotal moments and global summits alongside world leaders.

His commitment to public service and journalistic integrity earned him a place on the Asian American Pacific Advisory Council under New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman. His contributions have been honored by the New Jersey State Assembly, the Nassau County Executive of Long Island, New York, and numerous civic and professional organizations nationwide, celebrating his legacy of impactful journalism and unwavering service to the community.

An objective storyteller at heart, Rohit Vyas continues to create thought-provoking documentaries that shed light on diaspora narratives, international affairs, and pressing global issues.

Since its inception in 2013, the Indo-American Press Club has become a leading voice for Indian-origin journalists in North America. With active chapters in multiple cities—including Alberta, Atlanta, Connecticut, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC—the organization continues to champion press freedom, journalistic integrity, and professional development.

Through annual conferences, networking events, and training programs, IAPC has played a key role in advocating for ethical journalism while strengthening the connection between Indian American media professionals and mainstream journalism.

As the media landscape continues to change, this conference will serve as a critical forum for innovation, ethical discourse, and collaboration, ensuring that journalists remain at the forefront of truth, integrity, and impactful storytelling.

For details on registration, participation, and sponsorship opportunities, visit the official IAPC website at www.indoamericanpressclub.com

ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day Planned for June 11th, 2025

Staff ReporterImmigration, Technology 0

“ITServe Alliance has planned to organize our next in-person Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC on June 11th, 2025,” said Sateesh Reddy Nagilla, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC) & Immigration. “The conference will have participation by over 150 US Representatives and Senators, including influential committee chairs and members, whose decisions impact our businesses. The daylong event will feature Capitol Hill Meetings and interactive sessions with US Congressmen and Senators.”

Capitol Hill Day is being organized with the objective of showcasing to the lawmakers some of the significant contributions of the ITServe members to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, and STEM education. The event will also highlight key concerns faced by small businesses, including the need for high-skilled immigration reforms.

While having an opportunity to meet with and interact with the lawmakers and their staff, Capitol Hill Day will be an impactful way of making them aware of the significant contributions of the ITServe member companies to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, and STEM education. The event will also address key concerns faced by small businesses, including high-skilled immigration reform.

Sudheer Venkat Chakka, CPAC- Managing Director said, “With significant immigration legislation expected in Congress this year, we urgently request robust support from our ITServe members for CPAC’s strategic initiatives, including policy advocacy and essential fundraising aimed at engaging Members of Congress. We are requesting more members join the ITServe Capitol Hill Day in our nation’s Capital.”

DC Day 2Anju Vallabhaneni, President of ITServe, while emphasizing the importance of Capitol Hill Day,  said, “ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day will serve as a powerful platform in educating policymakers on the issues that are important to our members and the business community, ensuring our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes.”

ITServe Alliance has been consistently working to protect the needs of its members. To that end, ITServe Alliance has been collaborating with the lawmakers on behalf of its members on Capitol Hill and within the US Administration.  Capitol Hill Day is the perfect way for ITServe Alliance to use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on the issues that are important to our members.

Urging ITServe members to be active and work collaboratively in making this important event successful, Raghu Chittimalla, ITServe Governing Board Chair said, “It’s our collective voice. I call upon every member to be part of this important event, advocate for ITServe, and make our voices heard in the corridors of power. Also, if you have a relationship with a member of Congress or their staff, please enter that information too.  Through your help we will be able to accomplish our goals through grassroots and advocacy.”

“In order to achieve the goals that benefit the IT Sector companies, the labor force, and the larger US economy, our process hinges on our 3 fundamental pillars of the ITServe PAC: education, advocacy, and strategic legal initiatives,” Nagilla added.

ITServe supports the HIRE Act (High Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment), introduced in Congress in 2024. Innovation, STEM education, and avoiding brain drain are the highlights of the Bill. It has advocated to have the STEM graduates with U.S master’s Degrees and/or Ph.D. holders from the H1-B CAP quota removed and make it unlimited to retain the top talent & innovation in the Country.

ITServe Alliance comprises of small and medium-sized businesses that fulfill the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in America. Its members play a crucial role in developing and maintaining essential IT systems for corporations, governments, and various organizations.

ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. Moreover, ITServe is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributes to local communities nationwide, particularly in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.

Siva Moopanar, President-Elect of ITServe, while summarizing the importance of Capitol Hill Day said, “ITServe Alliance is consistently working to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC team, is advocating on Capitol Hill and with the Administration.  ITServe Alliance will use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on important issues impacting our members.”

For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit www.itserve.org

Vinay Mahajan, President & CEO of NAM Info Inc, USA, A Distinguished Panel Member at the 25th Edition of IndiaSoft 2025

Ajay GhoshTechnology 0

“It was an honor to participate in IndiaSoft 2025 in Delhi organized by ESC India, representing NAM Info Inc. as President & CEO and ITServe Alliance as a Governing Board Member,” said Vinay Mahajan, a seasoned leader, serial entrepreneur, and investor with over 50 years of industry experience across technology, leadership, marketing, finance, and engineering.

“The event was a resounding success, bringing together over 700 international delegates from 70+ countries, 1,500+ exhibitors, and more than 50,000 visitors,” Mahajan added.

India’s premier tech event, the INDIA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT, 25th edition of IndiaSoft, was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on March 19, 2025.

A must-attend event for anyone looking to understand how India can expand its footprint in the global IT product space, a key highlight of the summit featured Vinay Mahajan, who shared his insights on “Enhancing Share of IT Products in the Indian Tech Industry.”

Vinay india

Mahajan was part of an esteemed panel that included, Amitabh Roy (Founder & Director, Codelogic), Rohit Chauhan (Head, India Corporate Affairs, Tata Consultancy Services), and moderator Sanjay Agarwala (Director, Eastern Software Solutions) for a thought-provoking discussion on “Enhancing the Share of IT Products in the Indian Tech Industry.

ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations, which has come to be recognized as the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, was an event partner for IndiaSoft 2025, and both NAM Info Inc. and Vitel Global participated as exhibitors representing ITServe. “I’m delighted to share that both organizations received Excellence Awards from the US India SME Council (USISME), Washington DC,” Mahajan said.Vinay at NAM

Additionally, NAM Info Inc.’s CTO, Balaji Krishnamoorthy, contributed as a panelist on another significant panel titled “Towards AI Driven World: Boosters and Barriers,” sharing valuable insights into the evolving AI landscape.

As the President & CEO of NAM Info Inc, Mahajan oversees a software services and solutions firm specializing in software consulting and development. His leadership has driven groundbreaking initiatives such as SAFE, a fire safety app for high-rise buildings, and the current development of the AI application APAR and a browser-based universal communication system. Additionally, Mahajan has spearheaded strategic acquisitions, including a recent foray into Generative AI-enabled Telecom Services and Solutions launched in 2023, and the Inferyx Data Management and Data Analytics Platform, solidifying NAM’s leadership in emerging technologies. In 2024, Mahajan made a strategic investment in Inferyx and currently serves on its Board.

 

Beyond his corporate leadership, Mahajan is a Governing Board Member of ITServe Alliance Inc. Having served as the National President in 2023, he led the organization through a period of significant growth, welcoming over 800 new members and launching two new chapters. Under his guidance, ITServe strengthened its focus on protecting members’ interests, enhancing membership benefits, and empowering local employment. He has also expanded ITServe’s community engagement through CSR initiatives, particularly in STEM education, introducing new training, internship programs, and bolstering STEM scholarships.

An engineering graduate with an MBA from premier institutes, Mahajan’s extensive entrepreneurial portfolio includes over 100 projects in Communication/IVR/Call Centers software across India, launching a computer manufacturing unit in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan and Healthcare Practice Management Software in the United States. He also led the approval of two patents for SAFE. His profound understanding of the IT landscape, innovation-focused leadership, and investment acumen have made him a pivotal figure in maintaining the US’s leadership in technology.

Recalling his engagement and participation at the Summit, Mahjan said, “Throughout the event, I engaged with numerous Indian business leaders, exploring exciting opportunities for strengthening US-India business cooperation.Congratulations to all involved for making IndiaSoft 2025 an outstanding gathering that highlights the vibrant potential of US-India tech collaboration!”

ITServe Services (ITSS) Offers Unique Services Addressing The Challenges Members Face

Ajay GhoshTechnology 0

“As a subsidiary of ITServe Alliance, ITServe Services (ITSS) is uniquely positioned to design and implement customized solutions that cater directly to the challenges and opportunities ITServe members face,” says, Manohar Kasagani, Managing Director of ITSS.

Providing the background the formation of ITSS, Anju Vallbhaneni, current Presiudent of ITServe says, “ITServe Alliance was initially established to offer financial and professional benefits to its members. However, as the organization expanded, it became evident that certain services and benefits required a dedicated platform beyond ITServe Alliance itself. This realization led to the creation of ITServe Services (ITSS), a specialized initiative aimed at addressing those additional needs.”

ITServe Services operates as an independent Board, overseeing a range of activities aimed at enhancing the experience and benefits for members. A group of highly qualified and experienced ITServe leaders make up ITSS Board of Directors: Manohar Kasagani, Anju Vallabhaneni, Amar Varada, Bala Shan, Gautam Reddy Mallireddy, Arvind Nerella, and Srikant Dasugari.

ITSS Office Bearers are: Manohar Kasagani, ITSS Managing Director; Viswa kandi, ITSS – Secretary; Purna Irukulapati, ITSS – Jt. Secretary; Mahesh Sake, ITSS – Treasurer; and, Ravindran Komatireddy, ITSS – Jt. Treasurer. ITSS Advisors consist of: Gautam Gali and Mahender Musuku.

Services Committees Chairs are: Shree Yerramsett, TP Reddy, Navin Seepana, Ramesh Kalwala, Sarath Chalamcharla, Radhesh Reddy Gurrala, Suresh Mittaplayy, and, Deepak Choudhary. Each of them has come to play an important role in the functioning of ITServe, fulfilling various roles needed to serve its large membership.

According to Amar Varada, ITSS Board of Director, ITSS was founded with the mission of delivering real, measurable benefits to ITServe members.” These include: Group Health Insurance, Business Insurance, ITServe Angels (Entrepreneurial Support Program), Merger & Acquisition Advisory Services, Exclusive Discounts on Payroll Services (ADP), Discounts on Google Workspace & Microsoft Office, Discounted price with Dice. Each of these services is designed to maximize cost savings and operational efficiency for ITServe members.

Bala Shan pointed out” As ITServe continues to expand, ITSS is actively working on introducing additional benefits to provide even more value to its members.” Two major upcoming initiatives include: LinkedIn Discount for ITServe Members, which is designed to help businesses and professionals enhance their networking, recruitment, and marketing efforts at a reduced cost. Exclusive Travel Discounts by top travel providers to offer discounted flight tickets for members. This will significantly reduce travel expenses for business owners and professionals.

“This ensures a more targeted and effective approach to delivering member benefits,” says Gautam Reddy Mallireddy. Currently, ITSS focuses on the following key areas: • Group Health Insurance • Business Insurance • ITServe Angels (a support network for ITServe entrepreneurs) • Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory A major emphasis has been placed on group health insurance solutions.

Recently, ITSS partnered with Trucardia, a company specializing in insurance services to develop a Captive Health Insurance Plan for ITServe members. This plan will leverage ITServe’s collective strength to provide competitive, customized health insurance options.

Currently, ITServe has over 2,500 members, but most procure their health insurance individually, missing out on the benefits of collective bargaining. A captive insurance model allows businesses to form their own insurance company dedicated exclusively to covering the health needs of their employees. Key benefits of Captive Health Insurance include, Cost Control, Financial Incentives, Tailored Coverage.

Srikant Dasugari believes that “ITServe members gain the power of community, an invaluable strength in the IT industry and beyond. With exclusive access to member events and resources, active members are more connected to the field as a whole—and each other.”

In addition, ITSS is in discussions with leading financial software providers like QuickBooks to secure exclusive member discounts. ITServe Services is also forming an exclusive partnership with Monster to offer ITServe members special discounts on Monster’s recruitment services, which will help businesses streamline their hiring process, attract top talent, and reduce recruitment costs.

ITSS is committed to “continuously enhance and expand the range of benefits and services available to ITServe members. We are committed to continuously expanding our member benefits and will share further updates as these exciting initiatives roll out,” says Arvind Nerella.

In his capacity as the MD of ITSS, Kasagani and his dedicated Team oversee ITSS operations and ensure strategic execution of member benefits. Kasagani serves as a bridge between ITServe Alliance and ITSS, reporting key developments and initiatives. He and the Team lead initiatives in health benefits, business insurance, M&A, and financial services for members. And, they engage with members to collect feedback and refine ITSS offerings based on their evolving needs.

“ITSS is dedicated to empowering ITServe members with innovative solutions, financial advantages, and strategic resources. With these initiatives, we aim to reinforce ITServe’s position as the premier organization for IT entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for more updates!,” says Kasagani.

ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations, founded in 2010, has rightly become the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across United States. Through the years, ITServe has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success.

For more information and to join, please visit: Itserve.org

Indo-American Press Club Unveils 2025 Board of Directors and Appoints Dr. Indranill Basu Ray as Chairman

Ajay GhoshCommunity, India, India, USA 0

(New York, NY: Feb 20, 2025) Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization of media personnel of Indian origin in North America announced a dynamic Team of members to the Board of Directors today. Dr. Indranill Basu Ray – Cambridge, MA will lead this decade-old organization as the Chairman of the BOAD of IAPC. Ginsmon Zacharia, the Founding Chairman of IAPC is the Secretary of BOD. Ajay Ghosh, the Founding President of IAPC, who along with Ginsmon is a permanent member of the BOD, will serve as a member of the BOD.

Dr. Indranill Basu Ray – Chairman, Cambridge, MA

Dr. Indranill Basu Ray | MBBS, MD(Med), DNB (Card), DSc, FACP, FACC is a Cardiologist trained in one of the newer subspecialties called Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Basu-Ray was a faculty guide at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT’s) LinQ program in Boston. He is a cardiac electrophysiologist on staff and the present director of cardiovascular research at the Memphis Veterans Medical Center in Memphis, TN, USA. He is also an Adjunct Professor at The School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.

Dr. Basu-Ray is the Editor of a popular book on Cardiology with over forty authors contributing to it from all over the world. He is the founder and President of the American Academy for Yoga in Medicine, an organization of physicians, scientists, and researchers who work on scientific validation of yoga as an integrative therapy. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the world’s first reference book written by over 75 physicians and researchers worldwide called “The Principle and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Diseases,” published by Springer Nature. Dr. Basu Ray has delivered invited lectures worldwide on the role of Yoga and meditation in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. He was awarded a Doctorate in Science (Honoris Causa) by the world’s largest and oldest Yoga University- SVYASA, in Bengaluru, India. He has appeared on multiple television channels in this country and abroad, discussing Yoga as disease prevention. He writes blogs for numerous Indian and US Newspapers.

⁠Ginsmon Zacharia – Board Secretary – NY

Ginsmon P. Zacharia, founding chairman and a permanent member of the IAPC Board of Directors, is the managing director of the Global Reporter Channel. A noted journalist who has made innovations in the field of visual media, he is also the chairman of Jai Hind News, a Malayalam newspaper with editions in the United States and Canada. He is the editor-in-chief of Aksharam magazine, a leading Malayalam magazine in the United States, and President and CEO of the English language magazine Asian Era. Ginsmon, who was the manager of The South Asian Times, a leading English language newspaper in America, started his journalism career 16 years ago by taking charge of the European edition of the Deepika, a Malayalam daily. As the US director of Jai Hind TV, he hosted the first reality show with candidates from all the states in the US. The reality show, attended by hundreds of Malayalees, was telecast in around 250 episodes, helped many amateur singers showcase their talent to the world, and was hailed as a historic first for the Malayalees in North America.

Kamalesh Mehta – NY

Kamlesh Mehta, founder of Forsyth Media Group, the most popular Indo-American English media group in North America, is a member of a prominent Jain family in Rajasthan and started a diamond business in Bombay in 1985. Mehta immigrated to New York in 1986, to expand his business, where he started trading in gemstones and diamonds. Mehta entered the media business in 2008, and his weekly newspaper, ‘The South Asian Times’ for the Indian community, has won several awards. He is also the publisher of Forsyth Media Group’s ‘The Asian Era’. In January 2010, he was appointed director of business and economic development by the Nassau County administration, where he served for five years. In 2009, he became president of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South, NY. In 2015-16, he had the opportunity to become governor of RI District 7255. He has been honored as a leading Rotary donor and has worked for many religious organizations and social causes. He is the founder of the Rajasthan Association of North America and organized the first Indian Day Parade in Hicksville, which started in 2012. Mehta is also the recipient of many lifetime achievement awards and certificates of recognition from various community organizations.

⁠Dr. Mathew Joys – Las Vegas, NV

Well-known writer and columnist in North America, Dr. Matthew Joys, was one of the early members of the IAPC. He has worked in the finance department of the central government in India and has been the director of the Rotaract Club and the national general secretary of the Employees Federation. He also served as executive vice president and secretary to the board of directors of IAPC. Author of ‘Entey Priyey,’ a collection of love poems based on the Bible and the Ten Commandments, and the anthology ‘American Aadukal,’ he spends his time as the executive editor of Jai Hind, a New York-based newspaper, as well as the associate editor of the Express Herald, a member of the editorial board of Nerkazhcha weekly, and the English portal The UNN. He is also the Global Media Chairperson of the Global Indian Council, Inc.

Ajay Ghosh – CT

Ajay Ghosh, the Chief Editor of The Universal News Network (www.theunn.com), graduated with a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI in 1998. Before coming to the United States, Ajay was the Chief Editor of The Voice Delhi and contributed articles to several national publications in India. In the United States, starting his journalistic career as a reporter in 1999 for India Post, he worked as the New York Bureau Chief of Indian Reporter and World News and was the New York Bureau Chief of India Tribune published from Chicago. Ajay served as the Executive Editor of NRI Today and was the Bureau Chief of The Indian Express, North American Editions. He was the founding Editor of The Asian Era. Since 2012, Ajay has been serving as the Media Coordinator of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). In 2023, he was appointed as the Consultant for Public Relations Content for ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Solutions and services organizations in the United States. Ajay is the founder and President of the Indo-American Press Club.

Having a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Delhi University, Ajay served as an Adjunct Faculty at Fordham Graduate School of Social Work from 2006 to 2016. He was an Adjunct Professor at Bridgeport University, where he taught Psychology. In 2019, he was part of a nearly 200-member expedition to Antarctica, the 7th Continent on Earth. Ajay was honored with the Excellence in Reporting Award by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin for several years. In 2018, Ajay was honored with the Excellence in Journalism Award by NAMAM, In 2023, he received the prestigious Excellence in Journalism Award by The Kerala Center in New York.

Meena Chittilapilly – Dallas, TX

Meena Chittilappilly is a well-known socio-cultural media activist from Dallas, Texas. Meena, who has been a presenter and newsreader on Asianet for 15 years and later a presenter on Jai Hind TV, is currently working for Flowers TV. A graduate with a degree in analytical economics and business administration, Meena has worked in the field of education for over 20 years and is currently working as a school director in the project management office at ‘Quantiphi’, an international software company. She was also active as the arts and marketing and branding chairperson of the Malayali Engineers Association of North Texas (MEANT), and the president of the Dallas badminton club. Moreover, she has been running the Swarajathi School of Music and Dance since 2001 and is an active organizer and media personality who has been making her mark in the professional theater industry. During her college years, she was the secretary and union councilor of the All-Saints College arts club, Thiruvananthapuram from 1990-92 and presented many programs as an anchor with Doordarshan, the national television channel of India.

⁠CG Daniel – Houston, TX

CG Daniel is a well-known writer and amateur photographer with a large following, especially on social media. He is an environmentalist and a cynophile. He has participated in television panel discussions about American and Indian politics. He is the founder, president, and CEO of the Deepalaya Foundation Inc., USA, a nonprofit charitable organization. He has served the IAPC at various levels, including as chapter president, national vice president, and general secretary.

Parveen Chopra – Vice Chairman – NY

Parveen Chopra, who has been a journalist in the United States for decades, is the managing editor of the South Asian Times. He also works for the interfaith journal ‘One World Under One God’. Parveen holds a master’s degree in mass communication from Punjab University and has also worked for India Today magazine. Parveen is also the founder of Spiritual Magazine Life Positive and was a former president of IAPC.

Dr. P V Baiju – Edmonton, Canada

A well-known Canadian author and columnist. P.V. Baiju is a noted journalist who has presented the issues of Canadian Malayalees to the world through his columns.

Jacob Kudasanad – Houston

Jacob Kudassanad (Kuruvila), the founding Vice President of the Houston chapter of Indo American Press Club, is a long-standing member of the organization. Through his time in IAPC, he has also been able to serve as the National Secretary in 2018 and National Executive Vice President in 2019.

He began his journalistic activities in his college days, where he got the chance to be the Alleppy district representative for All Kerala Sahitya Sangam. He also served as the editor for his college’s magazine, as well as various other local magazines. During his time as editor, he was able to harness his creativity and publish many short stories and poems in printed media. More recently, he has contributed to news publications for the Malayalam News Media.

Since immigrating to the US in 1985, Jacob has been an active and committed member of various cultural and religious organizations. He joined the World Malayalee Council in 1995 and has held several positions, including President, Chairman, and Secretary, at the American Region and Houston Province levels. Additionally, he served as the General Secretary of the Malayalee Association of Greater Houston in 2000. His dedication has persisted throughout the years, as he serves as the Vice president–admin in the American Region. He was able to serve as the Houston Bureau Coordinator for Reporter TV USA.

Finally, he is the current World Malayalee Council Chairman (America Region) and has been a member of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Houston’s Golden Jubilee Souvenir Committee Chair. He was blessed with the opportunity to serve in multiple capacities. He hopes to continue to be a contributing member of the Indo–American community in the coming years.

Reji Philip – Philadelphia

Reji Phillip, a reporter for the Global Reporter channel, is a well-known journalist. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and manages the creative department in several visual and online media.

Jacob Abraham – NY

Jacob Abraham is the CEO of Hedge Events and the publisher of Hedge News. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, Jacob has successfully led Hedge Events to become a premier event management company known for its innovative and high-quality events. His leadership has also elevated Hedge News, a prominent publication that offers in-depth analysis and insights into the financial world. Jacob’s expertise and dedication have made him a respected figure in the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of excellence in event management and financial journalism.

Dr. Renee Mehra – Chicago

Dr. Renee Mehra has been working in the media since 1990. Renee is the host of the show ‘Renee Report’, which provides media coverage on politics, health, human interest stories, fashion, film, theater, and current affairs. She has been the president of Reenbow Media, an advertising, broadcasting, and public relations company since 2010. She acted as associate director of external affairs department NYC health, hospitals/Queens from 2014 to 2017. After earning a BA in broadcast journalism from the University of New York, and an MA in political management and public relations from George Washington University, she received her doctorate from Walden University.

Ashly Joseph – Canada

As the editor-in-chief of Jai Hind News, a popular Malayalam newspaper in North America, Ashly Joseph served as a member of the board of directors of the IAPC. He began his journalistic career in 2003 as a reporter for the ‘Malayalee Manas’, a Florida-based newspaper, and was the editor-in-chief of ‘Yatra’, a 2006 magazine aimed at new immigrants. From 2007 to 2009 he was the managing editor of ‘Aksharam’, a leading Malayalam magazine in the United States. Ashley’s numerous articles on social, political, and literary issues have already been published in print and online media. Ashly is an executive member of the Edmonton Catholic Association and is the founder of several associations and clubs. He came to the United States in 1999 and is known among the Malayalees as a great organizer. Ashley, who now works for the Canadian postal department, was the coordinator of the International Volleyball Tournament in Niagara. A graduate of Botany from Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, Ashley was active in politics and society during his studies before he graduated with a degree in hotel management and moved to the United States.

Joseph John – Calgary, CAD

Joseph John is a Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG) and a Calgary-based freelance reporter who is president of the Alberta Chapter of the Indo-American Press Club. Joseph has also been the president of the Malayalee Cultural Association of Calgary, which has more than 4,000 members. Joseph John, founder, and organizer of ‘Kavya Sandhya’, which promotes literary and cultural activities for children in Kerala, is also a volunteer reporter for the Global Reporter section of the Reporter Malayalam channel. He is the founder and organizer of the ‘NAMMAL’ (North American Media Center for Malayalam Art and Literature) association with media support from news web portals in three Indian languages — ‘Nammal Online’ in Malayalam, ‘Namathu Tamil’ in Tamil, and ‘Namaste World’ in English. In addition, he serves as the national coordinator of ‘Nammalude Pallikoodam’, which conducts free Malayalam online classes with the help of volunteers from various provinces. He is the secretary of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and for the Association of Materials Protection and Performance, Calgary Chapter of the U.S. & Canada Northern Area.

Korason Varghese – NY

Writer and journalist from New York. His column “Valkannadi” is published in media such as Manorama. He has published two collections of articles. He has done interviews through Reporter TV and Kalavedi TV. He is present in cultural and social spaces. He has worked as a Wise Men International Club public relations officer and as a UN representative. He has received the 2017 Emalayali Popular Writer Award, the 2022 Fokana Literary Award, the Kalavedi Literary Award, and the 2023 IAPC Social Media Influencer Award. Korason is also a cartoonist living in Long Island.

In the introduction to the collection of essays by Korason, Valkannadi, renowned writer Benyamin writes that the views of society can be accurately reflected through the unbiased Valkannadi. The writer, who has been living as a Malayali immigrant in America for a long time, has a passion for language and social commitment that seriously enhances the value of Valkannadi. – Benyamin.

Over the past five years, Reporter TV and Kalavedi TV have been a part of Korason’s backroom staff through several in-depth interviews. A.J. Philip, a veteran journalist who has been the editor of newspapers like The Indian Express and The Tribune, said, “I found Korason to be a very capable and cheerful interviewer. You can tell that there was proper homework behind it. The questions were quite probing but not intimidating. I wish television anchors in India were like Korason,” A.J. Philip wrote in his column.

He worked as a columnist, cartoonist, and editor in the newspapers Kairali and Jai Hind, published in New York. He was the editor of Fokana’s Haritham Smaranika, held in Albany, and served as the executive president and general secretary of the Indo-American Press Club. He managed a column in the leading online media Marunadan Malayali for more than five years.

Worked as a Senior Analyst for the Independent Budget Review for the Nassau County Government of New York. Experience in the formulation of basic political policy in the United States. Worked as a Finance Manager for the New York City Government for a quarter of a century.

Joji Kavanal – NY

Joji Kavanal is the treasurer of the Malankara Archdiocese of North America and one of the founding directors of the Indo-American Press Club. He also served as the director of Jaihind TV USA from 2010 to 2013. He was chief editor of Malankara Deepam annual publication of the Malankara Archdiocese

He practiced law in the Kerala High Court and is also a treasurer of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. His extensive experience and dedication have significantly contributed to his leadership roles within the diaspora community, bridging cultural and professional ties between India and North America.

Anil Augustine – Atlanta

Anil Augustine is an Atlanta, GA resident, professionally a Public Relations (PR) management consultant in the International Trade, Media, and Human Resource domains. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director of an enterprise advisory firm www.AuguDEST.com, which assists global entrepreneurs, in reaching expertise in bilateral global trade, Media, PR & HR avenues. He is the joint promoter at the marketplace aggregator – Rural Agricultural Development Technology and Research. Anil has served on the Henry County, GA School System’s Advisory Council Board Since 2016 and the Eagle’s Landing Middle School as President of the PTO Board since 2019. As a Public Relations Officio, Anil is involved with Global

Indian Council, a diaspora advocacy institution, and World Malayalee Council, the global fraternity of Kerala diaspora. He serves on the Executive Board of the Federation of Malayalee Associations in Americas (FOMAA) immigration advocacy initiative – L.i.F.e, FOMAA Legal Immigration Federation, Anil served as the National Vice-president of IAPC and enthusiastically contributed to the International Media Convention in 2018 as the IAPC Atlanta Chapter Advisory Board member.

Dr.Eapen Daniel – Philadelphia

Dr. Eapen Daniel, a distinguished academic and community leader, resides in Pennsylvania, near the Philadelphia area. He graduated with a degree in Botany from Mar Thoma College in 1973 and later earned an M.Sc. from S.B. College, Changanacherry, securing a university rank. He began his career as a Botany professor at Mar Thoma College (Kerala University), where he taught until 1982.

After moving to the United States, Dr. Daniel pursued graduate studies at Texas Tech University and worked at the Texas Health Sciences Center until 1986. He then relocated to Pennsylvania, where he studied and worked at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his Doctorate. He continues to contribute to the university in the field of Genomics Integration.

Beyond academia, Dr. Daniel has been an influential figure in civic and religious circles in the Philadelphia Tri-State area for over 30 years. He has served as the President of PAMPA, a leading Malayalee association, and currently leads the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) PA Chapter. His dedication to the Mar Thoma Church is notable, having served as Chief Editor of The Mar Thoma Messenger for 12 years and as a long-time youth activity coordinator and senior advisor for various church organizations.

Dr. Daniel’s contributions have been recognized with numerous achievement awards from civic and religious organizations, underscoring his lifelong commitment to community service and leadership

IAPCIndo-American Press Club (IAPC) is a fast-growing syndicate of print, visual, online, and electronic media journalists and other media-related professionals of Indian origin working in the United States, Canada, and Europe. IAPC is committed to enhancing the working conditions of our journalists, exchanging ideas, and offering educational and training opportunities to our members, aspiring young journalists, and media professionals around the globe; and also by honoring media people for their excellence, and for bringing positive changes through their dedicated service among the community. Today IAPC envisages its vision through collective efforts and advocacy activities through its 15 Chapters across the US and Canada, in the larger public sphere. Visit www.indoamericanpressclub.com to learn more.

ITServe Alliance’s New Leadership for 2025 Aims To Strengthen Its Presence And Impact Within The Industry

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

ITServe Alliance, the premier association of over 2,500 small and medium-sized IT companies across North America, has inaugurated its leadership team for 2025. Anju Vallabhaneni takes the helm as National President, bringing over 23 years of experience in IT management and seven years of dedicated service to ITServe. Under his leadership, the organization aims to strengthen its presence and impact within the industry.

Leadership at the Forefront

“I am honored to lead ITServe Alliance, the largest association representing IT Solutions, Product Development, and Service organizations in the United States. Together, we will continue to advocate for our members, drive innovation, and enhance our collective strength,” said Mr. Vallabhaneni upon assuming office in January 2025.

Supporting Vallabhaneni in governance, Raghu Chittimalla assumes the role of Governing Board Chair, emphasizing a collaborative leadership culture. “Our focus will be on unity, ensuring all board members prioritize ITServe’s mission above individual interests to achieve collective success,” he stated.

Siva Moopanar, President-Elect, is poised to lead ITServe in 2026. “I am committed to ensuring ITServe attracts top talent, fosters innovation, and drives economic growth,” he affirmed. A seasoned entrepreneur, Moopanar is the President & CEO of Edify Technologies, with three decades of expertise in IT leadership and commercial real estate investment.

Expanding Reach and Influence

ITServe operates through four core boards: ITServe Alliance, Connected PAC, ITServe Services Board(ITSS), and ITServe CSR Board. With 23 Chapters across the U.S., the organization continues its mission to support IT enterprises, advocate for policy reforms, and invest in innovation.

2025 Chapter Presidents: Leaders across ITServe’s 23 Chapters will play a crucial role in expanding the organization’s impact.

Commitment to Growth and Innovation

Reflecting on ITServe’s journey, Immediate Past President Jagadeesh Mosali highlighted the organization’s growth from a regional network in 2010 to a national force in IT services. The addition of new chapters in Tennessee and New York marks continued expansion.

“ITServe’s success is built on the collective strength of its members,” said Vallabhaneni. “Together, we will continue to champion the interests of small and medium-sized IT enterprises, foster innovation, and expand our national presence by adding two more chapters during the year (Boston, MA & Sacramento, CA).   I invite all ITServe members to join me in this mission.”   For more information, please visit www.itserve.org.

Glimpses of India: My 40-Day Journey to the Motherland

Vinay MahajanTravel 0

The past 40 days have been a beautiful blend of reconnecting with my roots, engaging in meaningful work, and celebrating life’s joys. Neelam and I immersed ourselves in the warmth, traditions, and vibrancy of India. Here are some highlights of our unforgettable trip:

A Warm Welcome and NAM Team Meetings:
Our journey began with a traditional Kannada welcome by the NAM Info Inc Bangalore team. We also had inspiring meetings with the NAM Chennai and Hyderabad teams, discussing strategies and innovation to propel NAM’s growth.

Spiritual Exploration:
We embarked on a spiritual journey, visiting:
Sai Baba Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling Mandir, Shani Shingnapur, Panchvati, Nashik . All places of serene and divine experience, spirituality, tranquil and historic locations steeped in mythology.

Nostalgia in Nashik’s Villages:
Sipping freshly made sugarcane juice from a bull-powered machine in a Nashik village brought back memories of simpler times and showcased the charm of rural life.

Adventures in Delhi:
In Delhi, I had a unique experience riding “Shahenshah,” an electric rickshaw. It was an exciting and eco-friendly adventure that highlighted sustainable innovation.

Strengthening Connections:
I reunited with my DCM friends, some after decades. These emotional and joyful meetups were filled with laughter and shared memories. A meeting with the ITServe Alliance team in Hyderabad was a surreal moment.

Key Meetings and Collaborative Opportunities:
During the trip, I had the privilege of meeting:
Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of CDOT, and Dr. Arumugam Murukiah, Managing Partner at SIEMENS and TANSAM COE, B V Naidu, Chairman of KDEM and founder of StartupXceed Venture. Sudhakar Balakrishnan, Founder and Group CEO of First Meridian. Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director at ESC, where we explored opportunities for collaboration between Indian and US businesses.

Experiencing Innovation:
My visits to CDOT and TANSAM left me inspired by innovations happening in India’s tech ecosystem.

Grand Indian Weddings:
We attended three grand Indian weddings, each a spectacle of color, music, and flavor. The food was unforgettable, with over 300 dishes at one wedding alone. The multi-day celebrations were truly extraordinary.

Family Reunions:
An emotional reunion with my siblings and their children was a highlight of the trip. These moments of connection and love are treasures for life.

Christmas Joy:
We returned just in time to celebrate Christmas with our grandson in New Jersey, bringing the journey full circle with family and festive cheer.

This trip was a perfect blend of work, spirituality, family, and celebration, reaffirming our timeless connection to India and its boundless possibilities.

ITServe Alliance’s CSR Program Contributes Towards Empowering Future Generations

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

“Contributing over $1,200,000 towards numerous initiatives benefiting the larger community, having provided 75 STEM scholarships, 700,000 meals served by our members to feed the hungry, and in collaboration with over 100+ partnering organizations and institutions across the United States, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the ITServe Alliance continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of millions of people across the nation,” said Amit Goel, Managing Director of CSR.

Since ITServe’s inception in 2010, the CSR team has embarked on a remarkable journey in the realm of Corporate Social Responsibility. Starting with small steps, it has made a significant impact on the local communities.

ITServe’s mission has been to empower local communities through a wide range of initiatives. Through its several noble initiatives, ITServe CSR has been, through its 23 Chapters spread across the United States has been working towards enabling individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to a thriving society.

Lauding the support and commitment of over 2,600 members of ITServe Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe Alliance said, “ITServe CSR Team members are unwavering in their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) to give back to local communities across the country. The ITServe CSR vision has been to empower local communities through Education and Training, creating local employment and supporting our first responders.”

ITServer Alliance Collage 1

Elaborating on the noble mission of CSR, Vinod Babu Uppu, CSR Board of Director, “ITserve CSR’s mission has been to empower local communities through STEM advocacy, educating the underprivileged, feeding the hungry, supporting our veterans and first responders and recognizing our community heroes. ITServe CSR would like to give back to our local communities through various charitable programs.”

The organization of multi-talented individuals has set targets of awarding STEM scholarships, providing life-changing opportunities to deserving individuals, empowering and helping educate a diverse group of individuals from across the nation.

In order to achieve these lofty goals, ITServe has assembled an exceptional team of committed and talented national leaders to make its mission accomplished. The STEM Team is chaired by distinguished Chairs for each area. They are: Jagadeesh Moali and Vinod Babu Uppu, CSR Board of Directors; Amit Goel, CSR – Managing Director and Dinesh Babu Movva, CSR – Secretary, who are assisted by a dedicated Team of CSR Chairs, including Ravisatya Gavirineni, Krishna Revoori, Naveen Surya, Ravisankar Ramanathan, Naveen Jagadam, Venkat Seelam, Jogeswara Rao Peddiboyina, Dhanunjaya Mundrathi, Suresh Chappidi, and, Suresh Babu Manukonda.

According to Amar Varada, ITServe Governing Board Chair – 2024, “The ITServe CSR vision is empowering local communities through Education and Training, creating local employment, and contributing to the economy as a whole. We actively engage in initiatives that support education, healthcare, and community development, among other areas.”

ITServer Alliance Collage 2CSR has a broad range of initiatives aimed at creating a positive impact in various areas. CSR team works to establish partnerships with educational institutions, organizations, and industry experts to provide training opportunities that enhance STEM skills and knowledge. This equips individuals with the tools they need to excel in STEM careers and contributes to building a robust talent pipeline.

Dinesh Babu Movva, CSR – Secretary said, “ITServe offers as many as 100 scholarships annually to the needy students in the communities they live and serve. Each student chosen for the scholarship is given up to $5,000 towards one’s educational needs. Through the partnership with our local Chapters, focusing on community colleges, ITServe has given away nearly 75 scholarships this year.”

ITServe has cultivated strong partnerships with over 100 prestigious universities and community colleges, forming a robust network to help achieve STEM goals. At the local level, each of the 23ITServe Chapters are actively engaged with community non-profit organizations, forming vital partnerships to drive ITServe’s mission and objectives forward.

Some notable institutions that are part of the collaborative network include Arizona State University, Bronx Community College Foundation, Bucks County Community College, California State University, Georgia State University, Illinois State University, Ohlone Community College, Oklahoma State University, University of North Carolina, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Virginia, and St. Charles Community College, among others.

ITServe encourages and facilitates member engagement in volunteer activities, enabling them to contribute their skills, expertise, time, and resources, ensuring that they collectively make a significant and lasting impact.

ITServer Alliance Collage 3Anju Vallabhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe said, “Over the years, ITServe Alliance has established a name for itself as the center point of information for its members and the larger community, covering a variety of areas ranging from immigration, technology, economy, and many more that are relevant to its members. Through our 23 Chapters across the United States, we bring resources and service to the larger humanity in every part of this innovation country.”

Making a positive change in the local communities is strengthened by the generous donations by ITServe’s leadership and member organizations. They play a crucial role in the success of the programs. Its partners play a vital role in helping us broaden the reach and positively impacting the lives of the lesser fortunate in our communities by helping us broaden our reach.

Ongoing participation and commitment are essential to reach ITServe’s lofty goals. Amit Goel said, “ITServe Alliance members are passionate about the wellbeing of society just as they have been about their businesses, but restricted by 24 hours in a day. Often, this mission to give back is delayed or takes a backseat as we are juggling multiple duties at work and with family. Another challenge is identifying the right organizations, where ITServe Alliance CSR can make a contribution and have the maximum impact.”

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services Organizations functioning across the United States. Established with the objective of being the collective voice of all Information Technology companies with similar interests in the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org and https://csr.itserve.org/

ProcureConnect Matchmaking Organized at ITServe’s Synergy 2024

Ajay GhoshBusiness 0

ITServe Alliance, the nation’s preeminent organization that connects and empowers small and medium sized IT companies in the United States takes pride in providing ongoing training and skills to its over 2,500 member companies. One of the key objectives of this 14 year old organization is to offer education to its members on how IT leaders are transforming procurement practices to meet the challenges of today’s fast-paced market.

Understanding that procurement transformation has emerged as a critical initiative for organizations seeking to stay competitive and adapt to changing market dynamics, for the first time ever, an exclusive session on ProcureConnect Matchmaking was organized by ITServe Alliance as part of the historic Synergy 2024 at the iconic Caesars Palace in Las Vagas on October 28, 2024.

“Through the years, ITServe has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success,” said Jagadeesh Mosali, Preside t of ITServe. “ITServe and its members believe in developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations to work for a better technological environment by building greater understanding.”

TheUNN Collage 1Organized exclusively for the Elite and Platinum members of ITServe, the much-anticipated event was attended by over 75 participants, who were assigned to 10 tables, with each table having 7-8 participants. Each participant had one minute to pitch their services to the group. Members had the opportunity to introduce self and provide feedback, and if one is interested in learning more about their services, they could ask them to connect with members via email, LinkedIn, or through our portal. One was not required to share contact information directly.

The Pitch Format at ProcureConnect Matchmaking offered each person 30-40 seconds to pitch, while each table session took 10 minutes with 30-40 seconds minute pitch per person + 1-minute client plus one minute switch between tables. Each Table had 8-10 participants with members rotating between tables, with one side rotating first, completing their round, and then the other side switched tables.

Discussion highlights at the ProcureConnect Matchmaking included: Streamlining procurement for enhanced operational efficiency; The role of technology in driving procurement success’ Key market trends shaping procurement strategies; and, Insights from industry experts to help you stay competitive.

The Contingent Workforce panel was held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. The MSP/IT Services panel followed from 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The three-hour-long ProcureConnect Matchmaking had the participants split into two sections with representatives from the Corporates on Side 1 and the Side 2 had had members from the IT Services and MSPs.

Attending Corporates were Atlassian, Splunk, Applied Materials, Snowflake, AWS, and, Canada. Attending IT Services & MSPs were Wipro, Hitachi, Agile1, AGS, ZT Systems, and, JPMC.

ProcureConnect Matchmaking Organized at ITServe’s Synergy 2024 Collage 2The Panelists at ProcureConnect Matchmaking included: Lysa Marcouillier, Global Compliance Leader – CW at Applied Materials; Semonie Kong, Program Manager – Global CW at Atlassian; Keisha Stephens, Director People Operations at Splunk; Franck Noel, Head Of Solution Architecture US Northeast, US Commercial at AWS; Ashish Mehra, Leader, Solutions Architecture US east, US Commercial at AWS; Karen Maarouf, VP, Global Supplier Partnership & Engagement at Agileone; Aparna Singh, Head Of Talent Acquisition at Wipro;
Danielle A Davis, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co,; Subhashini Panyam, Global Talent Acquisition Head at Hitachi Digital; Anitha Asrani, Talent Acquisition Head – Americas at LTI Mindtree; Steven Livingston, Supply Chain Manager at AGS; Natalie Javid, Head of Global Contingent Workforce at Snowflake; Robert McCrossan, Commercial Officer at Ontario Trade & Investment Office, Government of Ontario; Jag Badwal, Ontario Agent General at the Government of Ontario in Southern States of US.

The event was planned and well coordinated by Ram Nandyala, Shyam Padamati, Director of IT KeySource Inc., and Shabana Siraj, CEO of Trident Consulting. Following the session, on the evening of the 28th. There was an exclusive dinner with amazing entertainment, which was enjoyed by one and all.

Participants gained insights into procurement transformation that involves reimagining and optimizing procurement processes, technologies and strategies to drive greater procurement efficiency, cost savings, and value across the supply chain. Overall, the forum provided members to engage with top professionals and gain the knowledge one needs to future-proof his/her procurement strategies.

For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

Nara Lokesh, Minister in the Government of Andhra Pradesh Lays out His Vision for a New Resurgent India During his Address at ITServe’s Synergy 2024 in Las Vegas

Ajay GhoshIndia, India, USA 0

A rising star in Indian Politics, Honorable Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications , and the Human Resources Development Departments in the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the General Secretary of the Telugu Desam Party, was the Chief Guest at Synergy 2024, the flagship annual conference organized by ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations.

Delivering the keynote address on October 29, 2024 at Synergy by ITServe, the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, Honorable Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and the Human Resources Development departments in the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the General Secretary of the Telugu Desam Party lauded ITServe as it has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success.

A true visionary with forward-thinking, Nara Lokesh, a rising star in Indian politics told the over 2,500 CEOs of small and medium-sized companies in the United States, who had come to be part of the historic Synergy 2024 that he believes the data revolution is here, and Andhra Pradesh is well-poised in terms of harnessing that revolution.

Earlier in his welcome address, Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe Alliance said, “ITServe Alliance originated in response to the unfair practices of The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services imposed on small and medium businesses, which are the economic engines of the country. We were the first in the nation to come up with an idea of an organization representing Information Technology professional Services of like-mind- ed business entrepreneurs. Through our PAC, ITServe has come a long way, especially visa-vis espousing our visibility and cause in the US Congress, introducing our very own HIRE ACT, talking to important key MOCs and Senators regarding our Bill, taking them into confidence and discussing a path to consolidate it with the EAGLE ACT.”

During his address to the ITServe delegates, Lokesh said, globally, close to $300 billion is being invested in data centers, and his government’s agenda is that we should bring over 100 billion of that to India, and bring the majority of that to the state of Andhra Pradesh. Vishakhapatnam, he said, stands out with AI education, and particularly with focus on an AI University. “They were really excited about figuring out the interactions of AI in governance, AI in politics, AI in healthcare, AI in entertainment. And like how the erstwhile Indian School of Business Model was, it was completely branching as to how you would love to do the same magic in the AI University and really create next-generation thought leaders and engineers, not only for Andhra Pradesh, but for the world.”

Lokesh said he has learned the importance of the need in building a strong team. “I think that’s very important because when I joined Heritage, we had a crisis. Things were not good. We were losing a lot of money because of our retail expansion. The diary was not bringing in that much profit. So, I had to decide early on, the direction or the trajectory of the business. Then I had to figure out whether the team members believed in that vision or not, and based on that, I had to make decisions. I think politics is all about that. Also. I think you need people who believe in your vision but also have the boldness to correct you when you are making mistakes. So in that sense, in terms of building your team, building the leadership in both organizations is something that I find very similar.”

After he graduated from Stanford University, Lokesh returned to India and took on the role of the Director at Heritage. He ran both private enterprises and then entered into politics.

Describing the differences between running a private enterprise and being elected government official, Lokesh had this to say: “They’re quite stark and quite different. In the private sector, when you are the boss, you decide the direction, and you understand the journey. The results speak for themselves. If one month you miss something, you know where to correct it. I think in politics, you only get elections once every five years at the state level, so it gets very difficult to figure out the right trajectory. It’s very important to remain grounded, meet people, hear from them, and understand whether what you are doing is right and whether what programs you are taking are meeting their aspirations or not. So for me, that was very, very important. I think both journeys are mutually exclusive.”

Recalling his experiences in politics and the road he has traveled, Lokesh reminded the audience of his journey in politics. “I’ve always broken the mold. Look, membership in the Telugu Desam party was never a smooth affair. And in 2014, I chose that as my focus area. Similarly, in 2019 when I had to contest the election, there was always a debate on which seat I should contest. You know, generally, per political legacy and people, second-generation, and third-generation politicians choose a safe seat. I chose Mangalagiri. Here is a seat that we have not won since 1985.” Despite being defeated in the Mangalagiri Assembly seat in 2019, Lokesh continued his work in the constituency and gained the public’s trust.

Regarding his loss in the Assembly elections in 2019 and recontest in 2024, Lokesh said, “A lot of people told me, why not contest from a safe seat. And I told them, I know, to take an easy route or exit that’s accepting defeat, and I am not going to. So I contested in the Mangalagiri Assembly seat again in 2024 and I am really proud to say that I won with the highest margin that Andhra Pradesh has ever seen, which is over 91,000 margin.

With his triumph, the TDP won the key Mangalagiri seat for the first time after nearly four decades. Lokesh is being credited for the TDP’s resurgence in Andhra Pradesh. “To be honest, this victory was certain, but I think this kind of mandate took everyone off guard. This mandate has increased our responsibility. It’s a great responsibility on our shoulders. We take it with all humility. The people of Andhra Pradesh have many aspirations, and as a government, we need to be focused on delivering on those aspirations. So, I think we are going to meet midway in terms of delivering on that.”

While discussing the Ministry formation in Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh offered to take on the Human Resource Development Ministry, which is one of the toughest ministries, with a lot of trade unions. “And I love the challenge, and it’s a great opportunity for me to shape the next-generation leaders, thinkers, engineers, scientists, doctors. So I always believe as leaders, you should take a road less traveled and transform it in your own way. And that is what I have learned in my political journey.”

Learning from past mistakes, Lokesh said, the current Ministry headed by the TDP is looking at business processes, and re-engineering the government, and I am looking at, how can we deliver seamless governance in the hands of people, in the hands of citizens. How do you make politicians and officers relevant in day-to-day governance, in any day-to-day citizens’ lives. So that’s where I believe technology will play an important role. But it is also important to transform our processes and re-engineer the processes, and this is what you will see happening in Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming months.”

Son of Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the young and rising star of Indian politics, while referring to the lessons learned from his da, he said, “What I learned from my leader is to be very patient and passionate. If you look at his entire political journey, he has had great highs and great lows. He takes his highs just as he takes his lows. And for me, that has been a great lesson, and that’s what I’ve learned from him.”

Lokesh said, that a new state like Andhra Pradesh is presented with a unique opportunity, which is to decentralize development and not to center development around one city or one ecosystem. Way back in 2014, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had a clear vision of which district should do what, and that’s why KIYA came to Anantapur, TCL, Foxconn came to Chittor and Bello, and where Amravati is like our state capital. From day one, Lokesh said, he strongly believed that Vishakhapatnam should be the state capital because it has the right ingredients. “Now let’s talk about what are those right ingredients. It has amazing connectivity. It has great engineering colleges and amazing talents. And I jokingly keep saying that if Bangalore were to marry Goa and have a child that would be Vishakhapatnam, it’s such a beautiful city, with a gorgeous ecosystem, and I truly believe that for it not only to survive, but to flourish Vishakhapatnam has all the right ingredients of a state capital.”

Recalling his childhood and his relationship with the legendary N T Ram Rao, Lokesh said, “NTR is larger than life, and from my childhood, that’s all I remember about him. He was a tall personality there, but he had a very emotional connection with all his grandchildren, and he personally named all of us. So, you know, I got my name because of him, and all my cousins have their names because of him. He had a lot of personal attachment with all of us, but honestly, we were just too many of us for him to spend time with and nurture aspirations and ambitions. But he was very humble. And every birthday, you know, we used to go meet with him, spend time with him. I remember this so well. That is the way he would show his love and affection for all of us. He has left behind a great legacy for us to lead from the front and to take it forward.”

Young Lokesh shared with the audience his works and interactions with the rural Andhra. “I had a great chance to interact with farmers across segments. So, I met with Palm oil farmers, Paddy farmers, Mango farmers, Date Farmers, Banana farmers, and Mirchi farmers. You know what was fascinating for me is that they’re working hard, they are investing money ahead of time, and they are not sure in the end, whether are they going to make money or not, and they are doing this every crop cycle. So the way I looked at it, I said, you know, there are two parts of this equation. One, we need to reduce the cost of production. Two, how do we grow commodities and variants of our commodities that we can take to the globe.”

Lokesh said that the Andhra state can play a very important role in guiding farmers. “There is a lot of work that we can do as a government in terms of guiding farmers, giving not just subsidies alone, but inputs, and even strengthening it with research stations and ensuring that the optimal output and productivity comes from the respective farm. So for me, that’s of great interest and passion.”

He went on to add, “It is very fascinating that these are interventions you will see at a policy level that will come up. And I truly believe that the Royal Sima region particularly has a great opportunity to leapfrog in agriculture. It has amazingly fertile soil and just giving water to drip and giving extension to the appropriate horticulture crop, I think can truly transform agriculture in that sense. And the last bit I’d like to add is technology plays an important role, more so from the government’s ability to map which commodities are being grown and in what quantities and how should government be prepared, in terms of sale price hikes or slumps.”

Lokesh has been credited with ushering in new technologies in all his work, with focus on transformation of the rural Andhra Pradesh. In May 2018, he won the Business World magazine “Digital Leader of the Year” at the Businessworld Digital India summit in New Delhi, recognizing the best utilization of technology in governance. The same year, the Kalam Centre for Livable Planet Earth and Sustainable Development recognized Lokesh’s efforts in the successful integration of technology in rural governance and awarded the innovation award to Andhra Pradesh in the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development category.

Sharing his thoughts on how Technology can play an important role in rural communities, Lokesh said, “Technology has changed all our lives. India has been lucky. We jumped the PC era and went straight to smartphones. There are more smartphones in India than there are toilets. That’s a known fact. I think that presents a unique opportunity in terms of governance. I think a government’s ability to forecast that, prepare for that, and guide and advise farmers for that, I think will be very important. And that’s something that we are working on this time.”

Lokesh shared a greater vision for Inda to be the leader in world economic growth. According to him, India needs to work on two fundamental things. Number one, India requires a lot of policy intervention at the national level to attract greater investments to our nation. See, today, honestly, it’s not just about competing amongst ourselves as states, but we are also competing with other countries. You know, I am competing with Vietnam to attract electronics investments. I am competing with Ecuador on Aqua exports. I am competing with other countries on Agri commodities. So it is very, very important that we create a very conducive environment for medium, large corporates, global corporates, to look at India. Second, it’s no longer about the ease of doing business. It is about the speed of doing business. So all the business process re-engineering that we are doing in our state is to focus on the speed of doing business.

“We will compete with other states, and we will create a very conducive environment in Andhra Pradesh in terms of attracting investments and grounding those industries,” Lokesh said.

Among the challenges his state faces, Lokesh pointed to how you translate the vision of the Chief Minister down to the grassroots life functioning. So, the Chief Minister has a clear vision to attract investment. At every meeting, he talks about how many jobs we create. “But the problem that I see, even at the grassroots level, at the field level, is there is still the need for greater momentum. The tendency is to tell how not to do things, and that’s the challenge that we struggle with. So we are in the process of bringing about that change, institutional change among the officers, among the political system in Andhra Pradesh to thrive and be very focused on getting investments and creating local jobs.”

On his ambitions to play a national role as leader of India, any role beyond Andhra Pradesh in the coming months and years, Lokesh was very candid. “Politics is one great field where you can positively or negatively influence people’s lives. Being a third-generation politician, I see this as a great opportunity to transform things. There are amazing aspirations at the grassroots level that it is important that we meet those aspirations and deliver and after that, it is for people to decide where I should be. So, you know, we are here. We are here to serve the people. We are here to create amazing policies and investments, create jobs, create ecosystems, and then it is for people to decide whether I should be a Delhi politician or a state politician.”

His advice to everyone, who wants to enter into politics has been, “first, you need to settle down financially. That is very, very important. Be financially stable, and come into politics to serve people. That should be a true calling, nothing but that, when that is clear, come to politics. And the only way that can be clear is when you have financial security when you don’t need to depend on politics for any income.”

Lokesh pointed out how his party has been attracting lots of new first-generation leaders to be part of the government. “I call ourselves as a university. We have this ability to create leaders who want to lead. We create leaders. We give people the opportunity to lead from the front. And if you look at it this time in the 160 seats that we contested, close to 70 of them are actually first-timers. If you look at it as an alliance, 17 out of the 25 ministers are first time ministers. So I think that’s what makes TDP unique.”

Lokesh said, “I think you should take life as it comes. Never carry stress home. There is no need to carry stress. So I believe that the stress of work should be left outside your door. When you go home. You should spend time with your family, no second thoughts about it. What I’ve realized is, when you are stressed and you make decisions, you end up making a lot of mistakes. When I feel a little bit of stress, I should want to breathe, and that de-stresses me, makes me, calm, and that enables me to make good decisions. If you want to achieve greater things in life, and if you want to leapfrog, then you will have to make certain sacrifices. And it’s not just you, it’s also your family. If there are no sacrifices, you really cannot achieve what you want in life.”

Lokesh said that one of the agendas with which his government working is, “how do we double the per capita income of Telugu people here in the US and all across the world. And one thing we want to work with IT services, and how do we skill up all our IT professionals in the US and across the world.” Lokesh commented on the renewed interest among non-resident Telugus and “this greater commitment, that let’s do it now, I see that in everyone. We really want to work hard and really do good for our state and as a Minister and part of a delegation, we are really excited to take all of you back and showcase what you can do best and what are areas that together we can work on in developing the state of Andhra Pradesh.”

According to Lokesh, AI is an area of great interest for us as a state of Andhra Pradesh and is open for doing business. “We are ready. We will match it with the speed of doing business. I am leading a delegation in which we have a very young officer who is the CEO of the economic development board. As you said, all of you have an interest not only in it. It could be tourism, it could be education, it could be healthcare. And as a state, we are ready. We are ready to make this an amazing journey, and together, I believe that all of us can transform the state of Andhra Pradesh.”

For more details, please visit: www.itserve.org

I’m Eternally Grateful To The United States Because I Am A Product Of America,” Indira Nooyi Tells ITServe Members At Synergy 2024

Ajay GhoshBusiness 0

“I’m eternally grateful to the United States because I am a product of America,” Indira Nooyi told nearly 2,500 ITServe members during her keynote address at Synergy 2024 on October 29th, 2024 at the Caesar Palace in Las Vegas, NV. “When I look at all of you, and you’re making a great living here in the US, creating wonderful companies and employment. And I hope, like me, you too, are very, very grateful to this country. You give back not just to this country, but also to India. But that’s what I say, both countries. Wonderful!” Nooyi said.

Echoing the sentiments shared by Nooyi, Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe, while referring to the many contributions and accomplishments of ITServe pointed to how through its Corporate Social Responsibility, ITServe has shown that it is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged, ensuring that no one is left behind. “Our initiatives are focused on education, healthcare, and basic needs. We strive to uplift those facing adversity and create a more equitable society. I am proud that each of you have been unwavering in your commitment to give back to local communities across the country.”

This commitment has led us to serve the larger society through STEM advocacy, STEM Education, STEM Scholarship, STEM Training, Internship Programs, educating the underprivileged, feeding the hungry, supporting our veterans and first responders, and recognizing our community heroes.

Mosali said, “I am truly honored to have been chosen and entrusted with the role of leading ITServe as the President for the year 2024. With all of your active support, collaboration, and guidance, ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations, serving as the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, has made remarkable progress and achieved many a milestone, especially in the current year.”

Summarizing the mission of ITServe Alliance and Synergy 2024, Anju Vallbhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe said, “We believe in developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding. Come and join us on our journey. Let us be your voice when it comes to Information Technology.”

Suresh Potluri, Executive Director for Synergy 2024, said, “We are proud to present a lineup of visionary speakers who are not just industry experts, but trailblazers and disruptors shaping the future, who will share their insights and best practices on a diverse range of topics relevant to ITServe members, during our flagship Synergy 2024. These leaders represent a diverse range of fields and bring fresh perspectives and groundbreaking ideas that drive the next wave of innovation.”

Referring to her upbringing Nooyi recalled how while growing up in Madras, “My parents just told me that when you’re 18, we’re going to get you married. But then I grew up with a very powerful grandfather. I won the lottery of life in that I had a wonderful grandfather who said, my granddaughters are going to dream and be whatever they want to be. He helped us to a very high standard. I’d like to tell him how grateful I am to him for doing what he did for us, how he made us do our homework, how he taught us, how he taught us to argue both sides of an issue because he was a judge and he wanted to hear both sides of every issue.” Nooyi shared passionately about the influence her mother had on her and how she shaped her to be a woman, who is confident, competent, and doing one’s best always, especially when “you grew up in an era where opportunities for women were very limited.”

Growing up in a traditional family, Nooyi said, her dream as a child was that “I’ve got to study. I’ve got to do well in school and college because if you didn’t do that, I got married off to some guy I don’t want to get married off to. And the whole idea was to do well in school and college to avoid marriage. That was my only goal. I did not want an arranged marriage.”

Nooyi had her first job in Chicago with the Boston Consulting Group. She shared with the audience vividly about how she chose to work for PepsiCo over General Electronics. She said, “Wayne Callaway, who was the CEO of PepsiCo, called me and said, ‘I can understand why you want to join GE but let me tell you why you should come to PepsiCo.’ He laid out the case for me to come to PepsiCo, including saying, if you came to PepsiCo, I would make sure I develop you, and I support you, and make sure that your entry into this company is easy and you can perform very well. This made me think. I got the CEO in a big company could take that much time and with all humility called me and made a pitch for me to join PepsiCo. It spoke volumes about the culture and the zeitgeist of a company. So, I picked PepsiCo, not for the business, but for the personality.”

On working her way up in PepsiCo, Nooyi told ITServe leaders about what made her stick around and grow in PepsiCo, which is a very valuable and insightful lesson for CEOs. “In many ways, PepsiCo had a culture and a reputation, and Wayne Callaway had a passion and a culture that he would always keep his word. So, you all must look at yourselves and say, do you have a calling card? Do you have a reputation? Have you built one? Have you built a personal brand that people can say, look, I really want to work for this person, because I trust what this person is saying by developing me. If you’re going to use me as a tool of the trade, as opposed to looking at me as an asset, then I should shake myself all the time. But if you look at me as an asset, as a talent that you want to develop and support and mentor, I think people will stick around. So, it’s a two-way street,” Nooyi observed.

When asked about business leaders wanting their children to succeed them, Nooyi said, “Ask yourself a question: are you developing a business or you developing a dynasty? That’s a question you have to ask yourself. If you’re developing a dynasty. Sit there and worry about whether your children will take the job from you, even if they’re capable or not. Very often, you take your kids, force them into the job even if they’re not capable. On the other hand, if you’re saying, I want to build a company, I want the best leaders to try and I want to grow this company and make it iconic. And this is actually my children can be owners of the company and can get a dividend or get a stock price. That’s good, get a salary. I don’t care what it is. Let them do what they want to do. That’s a whole different mindset. So don’t sit here forcing your company down the throat of your kids. If they want to do it, they’ll come into it. Don’t force them to come into the company, because it’s not good for the company is not good for the kids.”

Referring to the many advantages entrepreneurs have today, Nooyi said, “I actually think you’re all very, very lucky, because when I was studying, there was no online course at that time, not at all. In fact, YouTube didn’t exist. The smartphone didn’t exist. Think about it. These are all the things that happened after 2006, I mean, well, before I became CEO. And so for every one of these things, you have to go find the book to study yourself or hire professors to teach you the stuff. In today’s world, you’ve got every course available to you for free online, which you can watch, study, and understand any time of the day or night at your own pace. I think you are incredibly lucky to have all these resources in front of you. Just utilize them. So, I’m actually envious of what you have. The problem you have is that you have too much of it, right?”

When asked about “performance with purpose,” Nooyi said, “The first thing I had to convince people is to say purpose doesn’t come at the expense of performance. Performance and purpose are a virtuous circle. If you deliver performance, you can find purpose. If you focus on purpose, it delivers more performance. So, I have to make that case and demonstrate to people that performance and purpose are part of a virtuous circle. Secondly, when you’re looking at transformation, and that’s your transformation that’s outside in, not inside out. I would always tell people, put themselves in that situation. Think of every child as your child. Think of every farmer as a member of your family. So, telling stories, making it very personal, you have to grab them by heart. And you’ve got to repeat that message again and again and again and every time.”

Nooyi said, she is of the opinion that writing code, simple code, is not going to exist as a driving business. “And if you were recommending to a client how they should run the business, what would you tell them that they should get rid of and give to technology? How to migrate up that whole chain to say, how am I going to add more and more value to the offering, as opposed to strictly labor arbitration? And I think that’s going to be a tough challenge, because for so long, so many companies have worked on this labor arbitrage, and I think that era might be coming to an end. It doesn’t bode well for many IT companies in India who also have to rethink the model. But I think especially for many of you who work in that area, you have to think hard.”

When asked about ways to double the revenues in the next three to five years. Nooyi suggested that
One must find the right companies and partners to work with. Because today, with the disruption happening in the world, you’ve got to figure out which partners you want to pick yourselves to, and who you’re going to learn from because you can’t do it all yourself. The small and medium-sized companies, you can’t do it all yourself. Try to get closer to AI.

Nooyi said, “Learn everything they’re teaching you so that you can use those learnings to grow. So, I think this is not about linear growth where you just go there and try to get as much business as you can. That’s really not the game. It’s a question of, how are you are going to learn from big guys. You’ve got to become a valuable partner to the big guys. That’s something you have to think through. And companies don’t have the wherewithal now to handle a whole bunch of small guys either. So find the right partners, work with them, learn from them, and see how you can have them give you business, I think that’s the way to grow going forward.”

Nooyi said she did not have access to many technological advances that today people have. “Before AI and GPT became a big factor, nobody knew it was going to become a big factor, let’s be honest, right? So, in 1999 and 2000 for sure, I wasn’t thinking about what they had. I wasn’t even thinking about the cloud. I was thinking about how to spend billions of dollars on SAP and Oracle, which almost feels ancient these days, right? So that’s what we were focused on. I wish I had cloud services there. I mean, I don’t know about AI, because it’s still being proven, but, you know, I wish I’d had an AI by my side, that I could have included them in my entire IT transformation.”

Nooyi is aware of the uncertainties of AI and its effectiveness. She said, “People are afraid that if they don’t have a big investment in AI, they’ll be left behind, but they’re still unclear as to what the benefits are of AI. So, I think the best thing for companies, if I were you today, I would first train all my leaders, the top two or three levels in the company on AI, and what it could do for the company today, and tomorrow. But then I take one or two areas and go very deep and say, let’s use these as test cases to prove out how we can get benefits from AI, whether it’s innovation or some sort of a customer call center. The baseline is that you properly understand the benefits. While I do that, the other thing I’d be doing is to say, what employees am I going to be displacing, and what am I going to do for them? How am I going to retrain them? Because if we don’t do that, believe me, they will hurt your efforts. So, I think about the human side of people are going to be displaced and the productivity side of what the company could be if AI became a much bigger.”

“When I became CEO, the attention from the press and the media was about everything you said, from my perspective. I was just another CEO to keep this company successful. So, the fact that I was a woman was an incident. I was singularly focused on, how do I make sure this company stays successful well into the future. Let’s all focus on the job that’s to be done. I don’t care if you’re a guy or a girl or whatever you are, we have a job to do it. So, at every point in time, I focused on doing things better than everybody else, so that I was respected for the job, and I put the company before me. So when I did those two things, people said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to give her respect, because the company comes first for her, and she always puts the job in front of everything else, and she happens to be a woman that was incidental. The positive is great. But had I failed, they would have said, here’s a woman of color from an emerging market running a Fortune 500 company. That would have been a disaster. I didn’t want that, but I didn’t want them to say she succeeded because of that.”

Nooyi said, her entire life, she had focused on “putting the company before me in my entire life. And, I was very clear that I was going to be judged by my job.” She recalled when she came to the United States in 1990s, there were hardly any women and there were hardly any Indian women in senior positions. She was the only one there. “So, people gave me respect for who I was. Today’s world is very different,” she said.

When asked to give “one piece of advice you can give us, so that we become the best mentors in developing great talents,” Nooyi said, “The first thing I tell you is that talent development, people development, is a very difficult job, and it’s an unselfish job because if you do a good job with talent development, they could take your job, right? So, you’ve got to develop talent and say to yourself, it’s okay if they take my job because I’m going to create a bigger job for myself. So, if you’re willing to be that unselfish, you can develop people, and the more you demonstrate it to develop people, people want to stick around and work for you. So you have to ask yourself, are you a talent developer or a talent blocker? Because many CEOs were insecure, blocked talent, and stifled them so that they don’t rise. And then they go. So, each of us has to look at ourselves in the middle, and say, ‘What kind of an environment are we creating? A growing, thriving environment, or an environment.’ Ask yourself a question: ‘Why did people leave my company? What could I have done to keep them? Do they keep that database?’ Because that will tell you a lot about the culture of your company and yourself. So, a lot lies in the leadership here.”

Stating that India continues to emerge as a global player and that young leaders are on the rise in India, Nooyi referred to Nara Lokesh, the young Minister from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Nara Lokesh, the visionary Honorable Minister for Information and Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh, was a Special Guest Speaker at Synergy 2024. Nooyi said, “He’s so articulate, and I have great confidence in Andhra Pradesh. Now, what struck me when I met him was there’s a next generation of incredible leaders looking to burst forward into the Indian scene and make a difference. And I don’t think the system allows them to burst forth. I think there’s got to be a system where you say, look, one generation, you’ve got to move ahead and let this new generation rise. I think we have very good people, don’t get me wrong, very good people. But perhaps the time has come, and I think we have to retire a lot of them, and let the youngsters take over and then sit back and enjoy the country that results as a consequence.”

Synergy is ITServe Alliance’s flagship Annual Conference, which began in 2015 with the objective of providing business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives with strategies and solutions that address the unique needs of the IT Solution & Services Industry.

For more information, please4 visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Alliance Organizes Brilliantly Effective Synergy 2024 In Las Vegas

Ajay GhoshTechnology 0

Over 2,500 members of ITServe Alliance, who are heads of small and medium-sized companies of Information Technology attended the historic and brilliantly effective Synergy 2024 at the most popular Ceasar’s Palace in the magical city of Las Vegas organized by the ITServe Alliance from October 29-30, 2024.

Networking, learning, and sharing of knowledge, highly acclaimed speakers, insightful workshops, collaborating, strengthening bonds, celebrating everyone’s achievements and accomplishments, cultural and fun events, awards ceremony, showcasing of business booths and products, and delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine, and building meaningful relationships were some of the highlights of Synergy 2024 that bore witness to the remarkable growth of ITServe Alliance that has truly become the voice of the small and medium-sized Information Technology businesses in the United States.

In his presidential address, Jagadessh Mosali, national President of ITServe Alliance, welcomed the members, leaders, chapter presidents, sponsors, and volunteers to Synergy 2024 and expressed his “sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment, and dedication, and for investing your time and energy and resources for putting together this great event, our flagship Synergy 2024. You are the backbone of our organization, and your unwavering commitment is what propels us forward.”
Mosali highlighted some of the many accomplishments of ITServe in the short history of this fast-growing organization that was founded only 14 years ago. “Since its inception in 2010, our organization has grown from a small network in Dallas to a nationally recognized association of IT services companies. We have added two new Chapters with the launch of Tennessee Chapter that became the 22nd Chapter and the New York Chapter inaugurated this month which has now become the 23rd Chapter of ITServe, showcasing our growth and expansion across the nation.”

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 7Summarizing Synergy, Mosali said, “On the whole, Synergy has been a unique event to celebrate our accomplishments. The conference also brings all of us together to share ideas, learn from one another, network, and find new business opportunities, enriching ourselves with knowledge and wisdom derived from the various topics relevant to every one of us in the IT industry.”

Amara Varda, ITServe Governing Board Chair said, “Synergy 2024 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. The focus of Synergy 2024 has been on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

“A very hearty and warm welcome to every one of you, especially the ITServe family, who have come from across the United States, our honored guests from India, our sponsors, well-wishers, and supporters to ITServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy Conference 2024, in none other than the electric city of Las Vegas,” said Suresh Potluri, Director of Synergy 2024. “It’s been nearly a year, under my leadership, a strong, talented, and dedicated team of ITServe members was entrusted with the task of organizing this mega annual event, offering to its 2000+ CEOs, investors, CTOs, and CxOs a powerful platform for Networking, Knowledge, Innovation, Growth.”
Potluri, while expressing gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Synergy Team 2024 said, “At Synergy, you’ve got to network with peers, learn from experts, and discover new and exciting developments in the IT Industry. In addition, you have an opportunity to hear success stories from industry leaders, who have been through the process and have now become role models for all of us. Representing a diverse range of fields, these leaders bring fresh perspectives and groundbreaking ideas that are driving the next wave of innovation. Because in all of you here today, there is both gratitude and a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing our collective vision is alive and thriving.”

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 6Participants at Synergy 2024 were offered a platform for IT company heads to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, and deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.
During her keynote address, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, renowned for her strategic vision and transformative leadership shared with the ITServe leaders her own life experiences from her childhood days to the present. She shared with the participants her own life story as she has inspired the world with her visionary leadership skills. Nooyi, who had revolutionized PepsiCo’s sustainability efforts and significantly boosted revenue, earning numerous accolades along the way, told the audience that in order to be successful, they must look ahead and see the relevance of their services in the future.

Shri Nara Lokesh, the visionary Honorable Minister for Information and Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh, was a Special Guest Speaker at Synergy 2024. He praised the contributions and accomplishments of the fast-growing and influential ITServe Alliance members.
In his address, Shri Nara Lokesh elaborated on his bold vision to catapult Andhra Pradesh to the forefront of global technology, creating a cutting-edge ecosystem of innovation and limitless opportunities for tech entrepreneurs. Shri Lokesh, one of the most influential voices shaping tomorrow’s digital world, shared with ITServe members the unprecedented opportunities for growth and success the state of Andhra Pradesh offers to IT companies. He invited them to come to his state and take advantage of the many opportunities being offered to IT companies.

Joshua Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, shared with the audience the skills needed for financial/wealth management, which are much needed for every business. During an insightful interview on stage with Abhishek Boyanapally, ITServe’s Executive Director for PR & Media, Brown, a dynamic financial advisor, author, and TV personality, acclaimed for his insightful analysis and no-nonsense approach to investing, whose expertise has shaped the financial industry and inspired millions of investors, provided a broader and historical overview of how the economy and money market have responded to elections over the past 100 years and how the money market is expected to the current elections and in the future.

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 3Clara Shih, CEO of Salesforce AI was another featured speaker, who shared with the delegates her insights into the fast-growing AI technology and how it’s going to impact individuals, businesses, and the world. Celebrated for her groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and her transformative leadership, Shih, who has driven innovation in AI products and research at Salesforce, and her visionary approach has earned her recognition as one of the most influential tech leaders of our time, Shih provided and insightful.

Rachel Skaff, Managing Director/General Manager – Americas Channel and Partner Sales at Amazon Web Services, was yet another innovation leader, who delivered an inspiring address at Synergy 2024.

Summarizing the mission of ITServe Alliance and Synergy 2024, Anju Vallbhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe said, “We believe in developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding. Come and join us on our journey. Let us be your voice when it comes to Information Technology.” Vallbhaneni, who will assume charge as the President of ITServe on January 1, 2025, invited all to join him and the new leadership in taking this noble organization to newer heights.

Describing the background to the launching of the first-ever Synergy Conference in 2015, Murali Bandlapalli, Secretary of ITServe said, “Synergy is ITServe Alliance’s flagship Annual Conference, which began in 2015 with the objective of providing business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives with strategies and solutions that address the unique needs of the IT Solution & Services Industry.”

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 4Sateesh Nagilla, Treasurer of ITServe Alliance said, “ITServe Alliance’s Synergy is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2024 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”
Under the banner “Join – Collaborate – Accelerate,” a dedicated team spearheaded by Suresh Potluri has been fervently working to elevate Synergy 2024’s brand and position it as the leading IT Staffing Conference in America. Beyond being an arena for networking and knowledge sharing, Synergy 2024 offered a veritable marketplace for ideas and innovations. The event was curated to provide actionable insights and strategies that companies can directly implement, serving as a catalyst for taking one’s business to the next level.

Anil Atyam, Associate Director for Synergy 2024, “Designed to cater to the specific needs of ITServe members, primarily tech entrepreneurs, Synergy 2024 hosted a plethora of crucial panel discussions. Topics will span from Immigration to CIO/CTO issues, Mergers and Acquisitions, Financial Planning, Political Action Committees, an educational session on Mastering Effective Recruiting in Staffing, and other sessions with a focus on Contracts, Legal Compliance, and Federal Contracting.”
Raghu Chittimalla, Synergy Chair said, “We have been working hard to streamline the Synergy conference process, increase the brand value of our Synergy, and promote diversity to establish it as a recognized America’s biggest IT Staffing conference by mainstream media. Come and be part of our journey to be the powerful voice that represents all IT businesses across the United States.”

According to Vijay Kommineni, Associate Director for Synergy 2024, “Synergy offered a unique opportunity for IT companies and individuals in the industry to hear from renowned guest speakers and thought leaders from across the country. Participants had the opportunity to break out into start-up cubes with business leaders and investors to pitch their offerings and ideas for the chance to turn dreams into a reality.”

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 5Vinay Paruchuri, Associate Director of Synergy 2024 said, “ITServe has built a strong member-focused community within the IT industry, where professionals and experts alike can collaborate, present new business ventures, and work together to find new ways to overcome industry obstacles.”

“In just two days, our attendees were able to grow their peer network, partake in important industry discussions, and gain valuable knowledge to take their business to the next level. Thank you for coming and experiencing yourself the impact we are making when we come together and explore more about Synergy.  We are grateful to have you with us in Las Vegas,” said Abhishek Boyanapalli, PR & Media Director of ITServe Alliance.

Describing the mission of ITServe Vinay Mahajan, a member of ITServe Governing Board said, “We are the voice representing the interests of small and medium scale enterprises of IT industry, protecting our members’ interests. We give back to the community and invest in startups, which is to help the United States maintain its leadership in innovation and technology. It is about coming together, collaborating, and liberating our collective strength. It is about finding synergy, not only within our own businesses but also across our entire community.”

The Gala Dinner and Entertainment were the added attractions at the end of each packed day with activities and sessions, filling everyone’s heart, body, mind, and soul. The floor at the event was fun and entertainment-packed for the participants.

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 8Jonita Gandhi, a Canadian playback singer of Indian descent, who has recorded songs predominantly in Hindi and almost all major Indian languages, and has become a Bollywood sensation, was on stage mesmerizing the full house at Synergy 2024. Participants were in for a great entertaining show by none other than the super-talented and multilingual singer Remee Nique, a Thai Indian artist, singer, composer, and performer, who performed at the exclusive Premier Elite Gala Nite.

With cultural events, music, dance, and sumptuous food, in addition to all the learning and sharing of knowledge, Synergy 2024 provided actionable insights and strategies that companies can directly implement, serving as a catalyst for taking businesses to the next level. Beyond being an arena for networking and knowledge sharing, Synergy 2023 has proved to be a veritable marketplace for ideas and innovations.

Mosali expressed his gratitude to ITServe’s strong and dedicated Team players, who have been effectively leading ITServe to greater achievements. “Hope everyone at our flagship event has enjoyed Synergy 2024. Some of you know and some might not know the countless amount of time our “Volunteer CEOs” from the Synergy Team as well as the Board have spent to make the event successful as you have seen. Thank you all for your service and commitment to the organization and giving back to the community.”

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 1Mosali thanked ITServe Governing Board 2024 consisting of Amar Varada, Governing Board Chair – 2024; Gopi K. Kandukuri, National President 2018; Vinod Babu Uppu, National President 2019; Raghu Chittimalla, National President 2021; Devender R. Aerrabolu, National President 2022; Vinay Mahajan, National President 2023; and, Jagadeesh Mosali. National President 2024.

ITServe Executive Board Office Bearers are: Jagadeesh Mosali, National President; Anju Vallabhaneni, President-Elect; Muralidhar Bandlapalli. Secretary; Manish Mehra, Joint Secretary; Sateesh Nagilla, Treasurer; and, Samba Movva, Joint Treasurer.

ITServe Executive Board – Directors are: Siva Moopanar, Benefits; Vinay Parachuri, Bylaws; Mahesh Sake, Chapter Relations; Shyam Padamati, Contracts/Procurements/Certifications; Lavanya Poosarla, Diversity & Compliance; Kalyan Vijai Lakimsetty, Membership; Nayan Joshi, PAC; Abhishek Boyanapally, PR & Media; Ashok Dandamudi, Sponsorship; Suresh Potluri, Synergy; and, Srikanth Dasugari, Technology.

ITServe Connected PAC is led by the Board of Directors: Jagadeesh Mosali, Gopi Kandukuri, and Kris Gadde, while Hima Kolanagireddy serves as the CPAC – Managing Director. Amil Goel leads its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). ITServe Services is led by Manohar Kasagani, ITSS – Managing Director.

ITServe Synergy 2024 Collage 2“The essence of synergy lies not only in knowledge exchange but in inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions, be it scaling your business to the next level, diversifying investments, or starting new territories. Let’s make the most of Synergy,” said Mosai.

According to Raghu Chittimalla, Synergy Chair for this year, “I am delighted to have been part of a committed Team that worked for months for the success of this conference. We have made this possible through hard work and dedication to streamline the Synergy Conference process, increase the brand value of Synergy, and promote diversity to establish it as a recognized America’s biggest IT Staffing conference by mainstream media similar to SIA, HR World, Inc 5000.”

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 23 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Alliance Announces Launch of Its 23rd Chapter in New York

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

ITServe Alliance

“ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations, which is recognized as the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, is excited to announce the official launch of our 23rd Chapter in New York on October 14th at the iconic Marriott Marquis on Times Square, located at 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 on October 14, 2024,” said Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe.

Under the leadership of Mr. Mosali in 2024, ITServe added its 22nd Chapter, when the Tennessee Chapter was inaugurated last month, showcasing its growth and expansion across the nation. ITServe Alliance has built a strong member-focused community within the IT industry, where professionals and experts alike can collaborate, present new business ventures, and work together to find new ways to overcome industry obstacles.

“Since its inception in 2010, our organization has grown from a small network in Dallas to a nationally recognized association of IT services companies,” said Vinay Mahajan, immediate past President, and ITServe Governing Board member. “This journey and success would not have been possible without the active participation of volunteers, members, and sponsors.”

Referring to the vision, planning, and efforts that have made the New York Chapter possible, Mr. Mahajan said, “Many months of diligent efforts and coordination between the national leadership of ITServe and the local New York region leadership has come to fruition as we are all set to launch the 23rd Chapter, a real feather in our cap to have ITServe’s tangible presence felt in Big Apple.”

Through the years, ITServe has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe has been expanding its reach from 10 members to 2,500 member companies in 2024. It has grown from a single Chapter in Dallas to now, with the addition of New York, ITServe boasts of 23 Chapters spread across the entire United States, covering almost all the states with a sizable IT presence.

ITServe member companies generate 175,000 high-paying jobs across the United States. Its members contribute almost $12 billion to the US GDP annually. We at ITServe Alliance are very proud of us that we are very successful. We are the voice for and are fighting for causes on behalf of the small and medium-scale enterprises of the IT industry.

“As a member of ITServe Alliance, each IT organization will instantly become part of the international community of over 2,500 member companies, gaining access to market knowledge, industry trends, and new developments,” said Manish Mehra, Joint Secretary of ITServe. “Over the past 14 years, ITServe Alliance has built a strong member-focused community within the IT industry where professionals and experts alike can collaborate, present new business ventures, and work together to find new ways to overcome industry obstacles.”

ITServe Alliance puts its members first and continues to work diligently so that the voices and concerns of our members are heard to create better business practices. When a new Chapter is launched, every new local Chapter leadership is provided with the training and skills required to lead and succeed. It constantly educates potential members on the benefits of becoming a member and joining ITServe.

Mahesh Sake, Chapter Relations Director for ITServe, said, “As the Chapter Relations Director for ITServe, my primary focus has been to ensure that each Chapter functions without any hindrance.  I am entrusted with the task of training Chapters and Chapter teams on the day-to-day functioning of their roles, and how to carry out their activities.  My team and I spearhead this message to all our Chapter Presidents, their core teams, and the members to ensure that they use the benefits well through weekly meetings, and in-person visits to chapters and help understand the benefits of ITServe to all our members. Onboarding new Chapters is a key role and I am extremely happy with the outcome this year.”

ITServe’s Mantra this year has been to ensure tangible benefits to all of its over 2,500 members. For instance, every new member of ITServe receives numerous benefits, including huge discounts from ADP, Dice, Software, ATS, and select Hotels. These are just a few to name. There are many more intangible benefits, including having 10 meetings to network with local members and access to one Synergy event to network and learn with over 2000 CXOs from all around the USA, apart from mediation help, reference checks, and litigations. Moving forward, there will be a huge, discounted pricing for health insurance services as well.

Baswa Shaker Shamshabad, ITServe Executive Board member said, “ITServe Alliance has built a strong member-focused community within the IT industry, where professionals and experts alike can collaborate, present new business ventures, and work together to find new ways to overcome industry obstacles. We are honored to be part of ITServe, which has been generous and extraordinary in its efforts to protect and serve its members’ interests, by keeping the needs and interests of our members at the forefront of everything we do.”

Led by highly talented leaders, phenomenally successful entrepreneurs, and innovators, who are enthusiastic about giving back to the community as part of this Big ITServe Family, IT Serve Alliance has established a name for itself as the center point of information for its members covering a variety of topics ranging from immigration, technology, economy, and much more.

Over the years, ITServe has been unwavering in its commitment to give back to local communities across the country. This commitment has led it to serve the larger society through STEM advocacy, STEM Education, STEM Scholarship, STEM Training, Internship Programs, educating the underprivileged, feeding the hungry, supporting our veterans and first responders, and recognizing our community heroes.

As a trusted platform, ITServe collaborates and implements measures to safeguard common interests, ensuring the protection of its member companies and their interests.  ITServe and its members believe in developing strategic relationships with their partner organizations to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.

Mr. Mosali said, “A strictly Members-only Event, at this historical moment when ITServe is coming to New York, I urge you all to come, join us for a groundbreaking event filled with opportunities to network, collaborate, and grow. Let’s celebrate this milestone together and make a huge impact in the Big Apple!” For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Members Hold Meetings With 85 Key Democrat and Republican Lawmakers During Capitol Hill Day 2024, Advocating For Policies That Benefit IT Industries

Ajay GhoshTechnology 0

“The Capitol Hill Day organized by ITServe Alliance in Washington, DC on September 18, 2024, was a highly successful outreach effort,” said Nayan Joshi, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC). “We had overwhelming support from the nearly 85 key US Representatives and Senators, including influential committee chairs and members from both the Democrat and Republican Parties for the causes put forth by ITServe.”

The day-long event on Capitol Hill organized by the ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC) was attended by over 70 ITServe members from across the nation, who met with over 85 ley lawmakers and their staff in their respective offices, who expressed their overwhelming support to the policy priorities that ITServe presented to the US Lawmakers.

Several lawmakers and their staff recognized ITServe and its members from their encounters from the past year, when for the first time ITServe had organized an in-person Policy Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. Committing to building on this momentum in the coming years, Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe said, “This is still just the beginning of ITServe’s proactive, ongoing efforts. In the coming years, we will be a driving force in getting things done for small and medium businesses.”

Stressing the importance of ITServe and the Legislative Day, “It was an unforgettable experience as over 70 members of ITServe Alliance came together for Capitol Hill Day, advocating for the changes that will shape our industry and future. Together, we made our voices heard on both sides of the aisle,” Mosali added.

ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day has effectively served as a powerful platform in educating policymakers on important issues to our members and the business community, ensuring that our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes on Capitol Hill.

Amar Varada, ITServe Alliance Governing Board Chair said, “It was a historical day for ITServe Alliance, which was born out of the necessity to be the voice of IT companies in the United States and advocate for their rights as ITServe members engaged in 85 meetings in a single day with the objective of educating lawmakers working toward meaningful changes that will benefit the IT industry and the larger society across the nation.”

According to Anju Vallabhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe, “A major objective of the Capitol Hill Day was to showcase to the lawmakers some of the significant contributions of the ITServe members to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, and STEM education. The event also addressed key concerns faced by small businesses, including the need for high-skilled immigration reforms.”

The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation, One critical factor faced in the US Tech sector is the lack of high-skilled workers. The U.S. has a large skills gap – availability of workers vs the openings for talent in IT. We need the brightest minds from all over the world to keep our wide lead in technology and innovation.

ITServe was born out of the necessity to protect the interests of the member companies of ITServe. To achieve our goals that benefit the IT Sector companies, the labor force, and the larger US economy, our process hinges on the 3 fundamental pillars of the ITServe PAC: engage, educate, and empower.

A major objective of ITServe Alliance has been to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC team advocates on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration. Capitol Hill Day serves as a perfect platform to communicate our collective voice with key policymakers on important issues to our members.

ITServe Alliance expressed its overwhelming support and urged the lawmakers, among other initiatives, to support H.R. 4647, the “High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act,” introduced by US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois. The Bill would strengthen U.S. competitiveness by helping to close the skills gap – the space between the skills required for jobs that employers need to fill, and the skills possessed by current prospective employees. As introduced, the bill would raise the current H-1B limit from 65,000 to 130,000, remove the H-1B cap for those with a Master’s Degree or PhD, and create a STEM grant program.

Foreign (nonimmigrant) workers fill a critical need in the U.S. labor market, particularly in the technology field. Every year, U.S. employers seeking highly skilled foreign professionals submit their petitions for the pool of H-1B visa numbers for which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) controls the allocation. With a low statutory limit of visa numbers available, demand for H-1B visa numbers has outstripped the supply in recent years, and the cap has been reached quickly.

H-1B visa holders play a crucial role in bolstering the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, and enriching the fabric of American society through their skills, contributions, and diverse backgrounds. They bring diverse perspectives and knowledge to American workplaces, facilitating knowledge transfer and skills development by engaging in research and development activities, particularly in STEM fields, which contributes to scientific advancements and technological progress.

Despite current rhetoric, research shows that H-1B workers complement U.S. workers, fill employment gaps in many technology occupations, and expand job opportunities for all.

Studies have shown that skilled immigrants’ contributions to the U.S. economy help create new jobs and new opportunities for economic expansion. The report, titled “New American Fortune 500 in 2024: The Largest American Companies and Their Immigrant Roots,” found that 46% of the Unicorns among the Fortune 500 companies were started by immigrants or their children. It is estimated that an increase in H-1B visas could create a significant ripple effect with an additional 1.3 million new jobs and add close to $158 billion to the gross domestic product in the United States by 2045. It would also stop or reduce the effect of the “reverse brain drain” from the US to other countries. A large number of foreign students do not get their H1Bs due to a very narrow Quota that was set two decades ago resulting in the US losing world-class skills and talent despite providing them with top education and training in the US.

ITServe Alliance has been consistently working to protect the needs of its members. To that end, ITServe Alliance has been actively engaging with the Lawmakers on behalf of its members on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration.  Capitol Day was the perfect way for ITServe Alliance to use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on the issues that are important to our members.

ITServe Alliance is consistently working to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC teams advocates on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration.  The Capitol Hill Day served as a perfect platform to communicate our collective voice with key policymakers on important issues to our members.

Expressing his gratitude to all the ITServe members who flew in from across the nation to be part of this important event and those who planned and organized the event seamlessly, Nayan Joshi said, “I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the ITServe members who were part of this important event. Advocating for ITServe and making our voices heard in the corridors of power. Through our collective voice and their continued active participation and collaboration, we will be able to accomplish our goals through grassroots and advocacy.”

About ITServe Alliance:

Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. ITServe has an active membership of 2,200 + members, and 22 Chapters established across the United States, who are small & medium-sized companies that create local employment and fulfill the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in America. Together, the ITServe members have 175,000+ IT professionals employed throughout the U.S. and generate over $12 billion in revenue annually. Unlike the large IT outsourcing companies, member companies of IT SERVE form the backbone of small & medium businesses in the IT Sector and retain the top IT talent within the US even during economic downturns.

ITServe and its member community are committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to local communities nationwide, particularly in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.  For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe’s Capitol Hill Day: A Surreal Moment Advocating for the IT Industry

Vinay MahajanImmigration, Technology 0

vinay 2 On September 18, 2024, I had the privilege of joining over 70 fellow ITServe members for our second in-person Capitol Hill Day. It was a surreal experience walking through the halls of power, meeting with lawmakers, and sharing our personal stories of how we achieved the American Dream through hard work and innovation.

We discussed the critical skill gap facing the U.S. tech industry, a gap that threatens American leadership in AI, autonomous transport, data management, cybersecurity, and more. In the short term, this gap must be filled by high-skilled immigration. In the long term, we need to focus on STEM education to ensure we cultivate the talent needed to keep the U.S. at the forefront of global innovation.

If we don’t act now, we risk losing high-skilled jobs to overseas markets, much like what has happened in manufacturing and robotics. One of the key solutions which ITServe supports is HIRE Act (H.R. 4647), which aims to strengthen High Skilled Immigration and launch a STEM grant program to fill the skills gap and secure America’s future as a global innovation leader.

Being part of ITServe Alliance, which represents 2200+ member companies across 22 chapters, was a humbling experience. Together, we contribute over $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy, creating jobs and fostering local employment.

Capitol Hill Day gave us a powerful platform to use our collective voice and advocate for policies that will not only support our businesses but also help shape the future of the IT industry.

Vinay

vinay 1

Vinay 3

Through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ITServe Alliance Works Towards Building A Brighter Future For Everyone

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

“ITServe Alliance members are passionate about the wellbeing of society just as they have been about their businesses, but restricted by 24 hours in a day,” says Amit Goel, Managing Director of ITServe Alliance Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “The mission of ITServe Alliance CSR is to empower local communities through STEM advocacy, educating the underprivileged, feeding the hungry, supporting our veterans and first responders and recognizing our community heroes.”

Elaborating on the larger mission of CSR, Goel said, CSR has a broad range of initiatives aimed at creating a positive impact in various areas. “The activities are STEM Scholarships & STEM Grants, Youth Entrepreneur Program, Recognizing Community Heros, Community Involvement by Volunteering, and ‘Helper’s High’ by PVSA.”

In order to achieve these lofty goals, ITServe has assembled an exceptional team of committed and talented national leaders to make its mission accomplished. “To have a meaningful impact, 2024 CSR team includes 15 dynamic leaders who really care for society. The roles have been distributed based on the 5 major activities that ITServe Alliance CSR undertook this year,” Goel added.

In addition to the national chairs, ITServe boasts of 21 chapters, each led by a dedicated chapter president, who serve as a pillar, championing the ITServe vision alongside the CSR objectives. The national/chapter level CSR chairs play a critical role in identifying and partnering with qualified non-profit organizations that align with CSR objectives.

CSR Collage 2

ITServe’s CSR Board Directors are Jagadesh Mosali and Vinod Babu Uppu. In addition to Amit Goel, who is the Managing Director for CSR, Dinesh Babu Movva serves as the CSR Secretary. Dasarath Kunapaneni is the CSR Joint Secretary, while Kumar Nandigam is the CSR Treasurer and Mahesh Surapaneni, the CSR Joint Treasurer.

CSR is chaired by distinguished Chairs, including Krishna Revoori, Naveen Surya, Ravisankar Ramanathan, Naveen Jagadam, Venkat Seelam, Jogeswara Rao Peddiboyina, Dhanunjaya Mundrathi, Suresh Chappidi, and Suresh Babu Manukonda.

According to Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe Alliance, “ITServe’s CSR plays a very critical role in helping us realize our mission of giving back to our communities and working towards the wellbeing of the larger society.  The generous donations, resources and the time devoted by our leadership and member organizations, helps ITServe in the success of our programs. Our partners play a vital role in helping us broaden our reach and positively impacting the lives of the lesser fortunate in our communities by helping us broaden our reach through the many CSR initiatives.”

Amar Varada, Governing Board Chair says, “ITServe CSR Team members are unwavering in their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) to give back to local communities across the country. The ITServe CSR vision is empowering local communities through Education and Training, Creating local employment and Supporting our First Responders.”

Vinod Babu Uppu, Governing Board Chair -2023, said: “Over the years, ITServe Alliance has established a name for itself as the center point of information for its members and the larger community, covering a variety of areas ranging from immigration, technology, economy, and many more that are relevant to its members. ITServe has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing resources and of service to the larger humanity in every part of this innovation country.”

“Through CSR, ITServe encourages and facilitates member engagement in volunteer activities, enabling them to contribute their skills, expertise, time, and resources, ensuring that they collectively make a significant and lasting impact,” says President-Elect of ITServe, Anju Vallabhaneni.

From the very beginning, ITServe’s mission has been to empower local communities through a wide range of initiatives. ITServe believes in the transformative power of STEM scholarships, STEM training, and STEM internships, which enable individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to a thriving society. By advocating for these educational opportunities, CSR aims to bridge the gap and provide equal access to quality education.

ITServe CSR is committed to giving back to our local communities through various educational, empowering, charitable programs. Since ITServe’s inception in 2010, CSR team has embarked on a remarkable journey in the realm of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Starting with small steps, it has made a significant impact by investing 1.5 million Dollars in STEM activities and various welfare programs. In addition to the financial contributions, ITServe members have dedicated thousands of hours of collective efforts to serving local communities.

CSR Collage 3

Goel acknowledges the many challenges he and his Team faces. “ITServe Alliance members are passionate about the wellbeing of society just as they have been about their businesses but restricted by 24 hours in a day. Often, this mission to give back is delayed or takes a backseat as we are juggling multiple duties at work and with family. Another challenge is identifying the right organizations, where ITServe Alliance CSR can make a contribution and have the maximum impact.”

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services Organization functioning across the United States. Established with the objective of being the collective voice of all Information Technology companies with similar interests in the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success.

Join us in our journey as we strive to make a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a brighter future and foster a spirit of compassion, empathy, and empowerment in every corner of society. Together, we can transform lives, inspire change, and leave a legacy of compassion and service. Let’s stand united and make our communities stronger, one step at a time.

Amit Goel and the entire CSR and ITServe leadership are confident that with a passionate and dedicated team, ITServe is committed to and will reach more organizations and expanding its support network, with the goal to create a lasting and positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities in need. ITServe CSR is driven by the belief that together, we will build a brighter future for everyone.

For more information, please visit: http://csr.itserve.org

Indra Nooyi To Deliver Keynote Address At ITServe’s Synergy 2024

Staff ReporterBusiness, Technology 0

“Indira Nooyi will be the Special Guest and deliver the keynote address during Synergy 2024, which will be held at the electric city of Las Vegas, at the Caesars Palace, the legendary hotspot where fortunes favor the BOLD on October 29-30, 2024,” Suresh Potluri, Director of Synergy 2024 announced.

indra nooyiSynergy is ITServe Alliance’s flagship Annual Conference, which began in 2015 with the objective of providing business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives with strategies and solutions that address the unique needs of the IT Solution & Services Industry.

“In addition, with an esteemed panel of keynote speakers, industry experts, and thought leaders, who will share their insights and best practices on a diverse range of topics, Synergy 2024 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters, to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding,” Potluri added.

Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO stepped down after a 24-year career with the company. Born in India, Nooyi was one of a handful of people of color to run an S&P 500 company. During her tenure as chief executive, Nooyi transformed PepsiCo into one of the most successful food and beverage companies worldwide. Her push for healthier snack and beverage choices, along with an eye for product packaging, led to an 80 percent sales growth in the 12 years she was CEO.

“Synergy 2024 is a unique venue for the collision of brilliance, a networking supernova, and a tech safari all rolled into one,” said Amar Varada, ITServe’s Governing Board Chair. “As you are aware, ITServe Alliance’s Synergy is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals.”

With Panel Discussions that are vital to the ITServe members, who are entrepreneurs, Synergy 2024 will be packed with sessions on Immigration, CIO/CTO, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial, Startup Cube, and PAC.

Jagadeesh Mosali, National President of ITServe Alliance said, “ITServe Alliance’s Synergy 2024 will offer to its over 3,000 participants from across the nation, innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

With the theme, “Join, Collaborate, Accelerate” ITServe is working to streamline the Synergy Conference process, increase the brand value of Synergy, and promote diversity to establish it as a recognized America’s biggest IT Staffing conference by mainstream media similar to SIA, HR World, Inc 5000.

According to Anju Vallabhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe, “Synergy offers a unique opportunity for IT companies and individuals in the industry to hear from renowned guest speakers and thought leaders from across the country. participants will have the opportunity to break out into start-up cubes with business leaders and investors to pitch their offerings and ideas for the chance to turn dreams into a reality.”

As per the organizers, Synergy 2024 will provide a platform for 3,000+ CXOs from hundreds of multi-national companies to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, and participate in interactive breakout sessions, deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.

“Your valuable presence and support for Synergy 2024 will help us provide business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives with strategies and solutions that address the unique needs of the IT Solution & Services Industry,” added Muralidhar Bandlapalli, Secretary of ITServe.

Since 2015, Synergy has grown from a one-day conference and banquet event to two full days of speakers, panels, and breakout sessions. “What began in Dallas, TX, has now traveled to Las Vegas, continuing to grow. Synergy continues to add prominent speakers, and valuable sponsorships, and help grow a community network of industry professionals across the country, said Sateesh Nagilla, Treasurer of ITServe.

Participants will get to network with peers, learn from experts, and discover new and exciting developments in IT. Don’t miss the chance to hear from inspiring speakers who will show us how to conquer the upcoming challenges and opportunities in information technology. Come, join us and be part of our journey. Let us be your voice when it comes to Information Technology.

ITServe Alliance’s Synergy is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. It is a collision of brilliance, a networking supernova, and a tech safari all rolled into one.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success.

Over the years, ITServe Alliance has established a name for itself as the center point of information for its members, covering various topics ranging from immigration, technology, economy, and much more. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day Planned For September 18, 2024

Zplux TechnologiesImmigration, Technology 0

(Washington DC: August 26, 2024) “ITServe Alliance’s next in-person Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC has been planned to be held on September 18th, 2024,” said Nayan Joshi, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC). “At ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC), our objective is to make ITServe more known, visible, and effective in both the Senate and Houses of Congress. Through Capitol Hill Day, we continue to advocate for policies that support ITServe’s objectives.”

The PAC and CONNECT PAC members actively worked hard and participated in the first-ever in-person Capitol Hill Day organized by ITServe Alliance in Washington, DC in 2023. Their efforts resulted in overwhelming support from the nearly 180 key US Representatives and Senators, including influential committee chairs and members from both the Democrat and Republican Parties whom ITServe members met, eliciting support for the causes put forth by ITServe. In 2024, organizers of ITServe’s Capitol Hill Day are hoping to have maximum participation and impact from the event.

“ITServe Alliance has been consistently working to safeguard the interests of its members,” said Amar Varada, ITServe’s Chair of the Governing Board. “To that end, ITServe Alliance has been lobbying with the Lawmakers on behalf of its members on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration. And our ultimate mission is to keep the innovation and jobs within the country.”

Stressing the importance of ITServe and the Legislative Day, Jagadeesh Mosali, President of ITServe said, “ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day has effectively served as a powerful platform in educating policymakers on the issues that are important to our members and the business community, ensuring that our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes on Capitol Hill. The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation.”

apitol Hill“ITServe was born out of the necessity to protect the interests of the member companies of ITServe,” said Gopi Kandukuri, CPAC – Board Director.  “To achieve our goals that benefit the IT Sector companies, the labor force, and the larger US economy, our process hinges on our 3 fundamental pillars of the ITServe PAC: educate, lobby, and litigate.”

“A major objective for ITServe Alliance has been to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC team advocates on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration. Capitol Hill Day serves as a perfect platform to communicate our collective voice with key policymakers on important issues to our members,” added Kris Gadde, CPAC – Board Director.

Foreign (nonimmigrant) workers fill a critical need in the U.S. labor market, particularly in the technology field. Every year, U.S. employers seeking highly skilled foreign professionals submit their petitions for the pool of H-1B visa numbers for which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) controls the allocation. With a low statutory limit of visa numbers available, demand for H-1B visa numbers has outstripped the supply in recent years, and the cap has been reached quickly.

Despite current rhetoric, research shows that H-1B workers complement U.S. workers, fill employment gaps in many technology occupations, and expand job opportunities for all.

Studies have shown that skilled immigrants’ contributions to the U.S. economy help create new jobs and new opportunities for economic expansion. It is estimated that an increase in H-1B visas could create an additional 1.3 million new jobs and add close to $158 billion to the gross domestic product in the United States by 2045.

ITServe supports the HIRE ACT Bill (High Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment), introduced in Congress recently. Innovation, STEM education, and avoiding brain drain are the highlights of the Bill. Another area, where ITServe has focused is the STEM Program to promote the “American Ingenuity Account” to fund State-administered grants for STEM education and worker training.  Enhancing the current H1B CAP limits – from   65,000 to 130,000 per year has been a major area where ITServe has placed its efforts in recent years.

Capitol Day is the perfect way for ITServe Alliance to use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on the issues that are important to its members.

Anju Vallabhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe, while summarizing the importance of Capitol Hill Day said, “ITServe Alliance is consistently working to protect its members’ needs. In addition to addressing key concerns faced by small businesses, including high-skilled immigration reforms, a major objective of Capitol Hill Day is to showcase to the Lawmakers some of the significant contributions of the ITServe member companies to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, CSR activities, and STEM education.”

Urging ITServe members to be active and work collaboratively in making this important event successful,  Hima Kolanagireddy, CPAC – Managing Director said, “It’s our collective voice. I call upon every member to be part of this important event, advocate for ITServe, and make our voices heard in the corridors of power. Also, if you have a relationship with a member of the Congress or their staff, please urge them to be part of this milestone event.  With your help, we can accomplish our goals through grassroots and advocacy.”

“At ITServe’s PAC, we advocate for more robust and favorable policies that benefit small & medium IT Companies,” said Joshi.  “We work towards protecting our ITServe member companies from Agency overreach, egregious rules & regulations, unjustified fee increases, and unnecessary & time-consuming department visits. Come join us on September 18th and make our voices heard on the corridors of power.”

About ITServe Alliance:

ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Solutions & Services organizations in the US, represents over 2,600 member companies. It serves as the collective voice for itserve allianceprestigious small and mid-sized IT firms with shared interests nationwide. As a trusted platform, ITServe collaborates and implements measures to safeguard common interests, ensuring the protection of its member companies. Since its establishment in 2010, ITServe Alliance has been a beacon of knowledge, skill, and awareness, empowering its members through 21 regional chapters across the country. For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe’s Synergy 2024, A Premier Tech Conference Planned In Las Vegas

Ajay GhoshBusiness, Technology 0

“ITServe Alliance’s annual signature event, Synergy 2024 is a thrilling tech conference planned to be held at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas from October 29th and 30th, 2024,” Suresh Potluri, Director of Synergy 2024 announced. “At Synergy, you’ll get to network with peers, learn from experts, and discover new and exciting developments in the IT Industry. Don’t miss the chance to hear from inspiring speakers who will show us how to conquer the upcoming challenges and opportunities in information technology.”
According to the Synergy Organizing Team, packed with educational and entertainment sessions, Synergy is a unique event that caters to one’s body, soul, and mind. “As you invest time to build your thought leadership, you can unwind from your daily stress at the breakout sessions. Synergy 2024 is a promising two-day event for the entire IT community in the US. The floor at the event has fun and entertainment packed for the participants. They can add more fun to their productive experience with an extended stay in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.”
At Synergy 2024, an esteemed panel of industry leaders and visionaries will share their invaluable insights and share their expertise on ways to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business. Participants will hear from influential figures and leaders from various sectors, providing unique perspectives and actionable strategies for driving innovation and growth.ITServe’s Synergy 2024, A Thrilling Tech Conference Planned In Las Vegas
“Synergy continues to add prominent speakers, valuable sponsorships, and help grow a community network of industry professionals across the country,” said Amar Varada, ITServe’s Governing Board Chair. “Participants at Synergy 2024 will have a platform for IT company heads to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, and deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.”
Past speakers at Synergy included President Bill Clinton, President George W.Bush, Hillary Clinton, 67th United States Secretary of State, Nikki Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina, Steve Forbes, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Sheila Bair, Former Chair of FDIC, Kevin O’leary, Venture Capitalist & Star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Zack Kass, Technology Futurist, Specialist in Generative AI Solutions, Yuvraj Singh, International Cricketer Entrepreneur & Philanthropist, Sadhguru J V, Founder of ISHA foundation, Jason McCann, Co-Founder & CEO Vari, and, Verne Harnish, Founder, Author & CEO Scaling Up.
“Synergy 2024 is a unique venue for the collision of brilliance, a networking supernova, and a tech safari all rolled into one,” said Jagadeesh Mosali, National President of ITServe Alliance. “As you are aware, ITServe Alliance’s Synergy is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals.”
Synergy 2024 will focus on developing strategic relationships with partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters, to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding. Breakout Sessions are other unique ways for every member to dive deep into specific topics and explore practical solutions to common challenges faced by executives in today’s competitive market, with interactive sessions tailored to your professional interests and expertise.
With Panel Discussions that are vital to the ITServe members, who are entrepreneurs, Synergy 2024 will be packed with sessions on Startup Cube Panel, CIO/CTO Panel, Financial Panel, Workforce & Contingency, Staffing Panel, Contracts & Litigations Panel, Mergers & Acquisitions Panel (M&A), Immigration Panel & Federal Contracting.
Networking and connecting with fellow CEOs and CxOs from leading organizations gives participants a platform to exchange ideas, forge new relationships, and uncover potential opportunities for collaboration and expansion in an environment designed to foster growth and success.
At the dozens of Business Expo Booths, Synergy delegates can explore a dynamic marketplace featuring a diverse range of vendors and service providers, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.
It’s crucial to stay informed about financial trends, budgeting strategies, and navigating fund crises, especially when dealing with delayed payments. Being part of and attending a financial panel at Synergy is a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
Understanding Mergers and Acquisitions tactics is essential for strategic growth, successful integrations, and maximizing business value. By attending our Mergers and Acquisitions panel, one will gain valuable insights from industry leaders.

In addition, participants will have opportunities to discover cutting-edge solutions and innovative technologies from ITServe’s trusted partners, designed to optimize their business operations, enhance efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.
Summarizing the mission of ITServe Alliance and Synergy 2024, Anju Vallbhaneni, President-Elect of ITServe said, “We believe in developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding. Come and join us on our journey. Let us be your voice when it comes to Information Technology.”
Synergy 2024 will provide a platform for 3,000+ CXOs from hundreds of multi-national companies to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.
Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success.
Over the years, ITServe Alliance has established a name for itself as the center point of information for its members, covering various topics ranging from immigration, technology, economy, and much more. ITServe Alliance now has 22 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. “Want to deepen your knowledge in these critical areas? Purchase your pass at a reduced price of $1000 and join us at the event. Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity!”
For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

Indo-American Press Club Announces Board of Directors for 2024 And Beyond – Dr. Joseph Chalil Will Serve as the Chairman of BOD

Ajay GhoshMedia, Media 0

(New York, NY: August 4, 2024) Indo-American Press Club, the largest organization of media personnel of Indian origin in North America announced a dynamic Team of members to the Board of Directors today. Dr. Joseph M. Chalil, publisher of The Universal News Network will lead this this decade-old organization in his capacity as the Chairman of the BOAD of IAPC. Ginsmon Zachariah, the Founding Chairman of IAPC is the Secretary of BOD. Ajay Ghosh, the Founding President of IAPC, who along with Ginsmon is a permanent member of the BOD, will serve as a member of the BOD.

Dr Joseph M ChalilDr. Joseph M Chalil – Chairman – FL
Dr. Joseph M. Chalil, MD, MBA, FACHE is a visionary leader in the healthcare industry, currently steering Novo Integrated Sciences, Inc., as Chief Medical Officer. His illustrious career spans various facets of healthcare, innovation, and policymaking, underscored by his role as President of NovoAmerica Health Group and Clinical Consultants International, LLC. Dr. Chalil’s academic credentials are equally impressive, with a rich medical foundation from JJM Medical College, enhanced by an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Davenport University, and further specialization with a Global Health Delivery Certification from Harvard University. Currently, he is advancing his expertise in medical law and ethics as an LLM candidate at the University of Edinburgh Law School.

Dr. Chalil is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is recognized for his leadership in healthcare administration. His contributions to healthcare and policy are internationally recognized, with numerous awards highlighting his leadership and innovative thinking. He serves as the Complex Health Systems Chair & Faculty at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Business, and NSU MD executive leadership council member, and a respected voice in the media, discussing U.S.-India relations and healthcare policy.

⁠Parveen ChopraParveen Chopra – Vice Chairman – NY
Past President of IAPC, Parveen Chopra has recently founded the premier wellness and spirituality web magazine, ALotusInTheMud.com, from New York. A journalism professional of three decades standing, he was earlier editor of The South Asian Times weekly newspaper, and ‘One World Under God’ interfaith journal. With a postgraduate degree in mass communication from Panjab University in Chandigarh, he worked for India Today magazine and founded a spiritual and personal growth magazine named Life Positive from New Delhi. He is a trained teacher of Transcendental Meditation and yoga.

 

Ginsmon Zacharia⁠Ginsmon Zacharia – Board Secretary. – NY
Ginsmon P. Zachariah, founding chairman and a permanent member of the IAPC Board of Directors, is the managing director of the Global Reporter Channel. A noted journalist who has made innovations in the field of visual media, he is also the chairman of Jai Hind News, a Malayalam newspaper with editions in the United States and Canada. He is the editor-in-chief of Aksharam magazine, a leading Malayalam magazine in the United States, and President and CEO of the English language magazine Asian Era. Ginsmon, who was the manager of The South Asian Times, a leading English language newspaper in America, started his journalism career 16 years ago by taking charge of the European edition of the Deepika, a Malayalam daily. As the US director of Jai Hind TV, he hosted the first reality show with candidates from all the states in US. The reality show, attended by hundreds of Malayalees, was telecast in around 250 episodes, helped many amateur singers to showcase their talent to the world, and was hailed as a historic first for the Malayalees in North America.

⁠Kamlesh MehtaKamalesh Mehta – NY
Kamlesh Mehta, founder of Forsyth Media Group, the most popular Indo-American English media group in North America, is a member of a prominent Jain family in Rajasthan and started out with a diamond business in Bombay in 1985. Mehta immigrated to New York in 1986, with the intention of expanding his business, where he started trading in gemstones and diamonds. Mehta entered the media business in 2008, and his weekly newspaper, ‘The South Asian Times’ for the Indian community, has won several awards. He is also the publisher of Forsyth Media Group’s ‘The Asian Era’. In January 2010, he was appointed director of business and economic development by the Nassau County administration, where he served for five years. In 2009, he became president of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South, NY. In 2015-16, he had the opportunity to become governor of RI District 7255. He has been honored as a leading Rotary donor and has worked for many religious organizations and social causes. He is the founder of the Rajasthan Association of North America and organized the first Indian Day Parade in Hicksville, which started in 2012. Mehta is also the recipient of many lifetime achievement awards and certificates of recognition from various community organizations.

Dr Indranill Basu Ray Cambridge MADr. Indranill Basu Ray – Cambridge, MA
Dr. Indranill Basu Ray | MBBS, MD(Med), DNB (Card), DSc, FACP, FACC is a Cardiologist trained in one of the newer subspecialties called Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Basu-Ray was a faculty guide at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT’s) LinQ program in Boston. He is a staff Cardiac Electrophysiologist and the present Director of Cardiovascular Research at the Memphis Veterans Medical Center in Memphis, TN, USA. He is also an Adjunct Professor at The School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.

Dr. Basu-Ray is the Editor of a popular book on Cardiology with over forty authors contributing to it from all over the world. He is the founder and President of the American Academy for Yoga in Medicine, an organization of physicians, scientists, and researchers who work on scientific validation of yoga as an integrative therapy. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the world’s first reference book written by over 75 physicians and researchers worldwide called “The Principle and Practice of Yoga in Cardiovascular Diseases,” published by Springer Nature. Dr. Basu Ray has delivered invited lectures worldwide on the role of Yoga and meditation in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. He was awarded a Doctorate in Science (Honoris Causa) by the world’s largest and oldest Yoga University- SVYASA, in Bengaluru, India. He has appeared on multiple television channels in this country and abroad, discussing Yoga as disease prevention. He writes blogs for numerous Indian and US Newspapers.

⁠Dr Mathew JoysDr. Mathew Joys – Las Vegas, NV
Well-known writer and columnist in North America, Dr. Matthew Joys, was one of the early members of the IAPC. He has worked in the finance department of the central government in India and has been the director of the Rotaract Club and the national general secretary of the Employees Federation. He also served as executive vice president and secretary to the board of directors of IAPC. Author of ‘Entey Priyey’, a collection of love poems based on the Bible and the Ten Commandments, and the anthology ‘American Aadukal’, he spends his time as the executive editor of the Jai Hind, a New York-based newspaper, as well as the associate editor of the Express Herald, and as a member of the editorial board of Nerkazhcha weekly. He is also the Cabinet Member and Media Chairperson of the Global Indian Council (GIC) Inc.

Ajay GhoshAjay Ghosh – CT

Ajay Ghosh, the Chief Editor of The Universal News Network (www.theunn.com), graduated with a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI in 1998. Before coming to the United States, Ajay was the Chief Editor of The Voice Delhi and contributed articles to several national publications in India. In the United States, starting his journalistic career as a reporter in 1999 for India Post, he worked as the New York Bureau Chief of Indian Reporter and World News and was the New York Bureau Chief of India Tribune published from Chicago. Ajay served as the Executive Editor of NRI Today and was the Bureau Chief of The Indian Express, North American Editions. He was the founding Editor of The Asian Era. Since 2012, Ajay has been serving as the Media Coordinator of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). In 2023, he was appointed as the Consultant for Public Relations Content for ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Solutions and services organizations in the United States. Ajay is the founder President of the Indo-American Press Club.

Having a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Delhi University, Ajay served as an Adjunct Faculty at Fordham Graduate School of Social Work from 2006 to 2016. He was an Adjunct Professor at Bridgeport University, where he taught Psychology. In 2019, he was part of a nearly 200-member expedition to Antarctica, the 7th Continent on Earth. Ajay was honored with the Excellence in Reporting Award by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin for several years. In 2018, Ajay was honored with the Excellence in Journalism Award by NAMAM, In 2023, he received the prestigious Excellence in Journalism Award by The Kerala Center in New York.

Meena ChittippillyMeena Chittilapilly – Dallas, TX

Meena Chittilappilly is a well-known socio-cultural media activist from Dallas, Texas. She held the National Vice-Chairperson position of the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) from 2022-2024 and the President position of the IAPC Dallas chapter from 2019-2021. Meena, who has been an anchorperson, interviewer, and newsreader on Doordarshan, Asianet USA, and Jai Hind TV, is currently working for Flowers TV USA.

Holding a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and another Master’s in Analytical Economics, Meena has worked in the field of education as a school director and a teacher for many years and is currently working as a project manager at Quantiphi, an international IT company. She was also active as the Marketing and Branding Chairperson (2019), Arts Chairperson (2020-2022), Board of Directors (2022-2024) of Malayalee Engineers of North Texas (MEANT), and the President of the Dallas Badminton Club (2010-2011). Moreover, she has been running the Swarajathi School of Music and Dance since 2001 and is an active organizer and media personality who has been making her mark in the professional theater industry. During her college years, she was the Arts Club Secretary and Union Councilor of All-Saints College, Thiruvananthapuram from 1990-1992.

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CG DanielCG Daniel – Houston, TX
CG Daniel is a well-known writer and amateur photographer with a large following, especially on social media. He is an environmentalist and a cynophile. He has participated in television panel discussions about American and Indian politics. He is the founder, president, and CEO of the Deepalaya Foundation Inc., USA, a nonprofit charitable organisation. He has served the IAPC at various levels, including as chapter president, national vice-president, and general secretary.

 

⁠P V BaijuDr. P V Baiju – Edmonton, CAD
A well-known Canadian author and columnist. P.V. Baiju, is a noted journalist who has presented the issues of Canadian Malayalees to the world through his columns.

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Jacob KudassanadJacob Kudasanad – Houston
Jacob Kudassanad (Kuruvila), the founding Vice President of the Houston chapter of Indo American Press Club, is a long-standing member of the organization. Through his time in IAPC, he has also been able to serve as the National Secretary in 2018 and National Executive Vice President in 2019.

He began his journalistic activities in his college days, where he got the chance to be the Alleppy district representative for All Kerala Sahitya Sangam. He also served as the editor for his college’s magazine, as well as various other local magazines. During his time as editor, he was able to harness his creativity and publish many short stories and poems in printed media. More recently, he has contributed to news publications for the Malayalam News Media.

Since immigrating to the US in 1985, Jacob has been an active and committed member of various cultural and religious organizations. He joined the World Malayalee Council in 1995 and has held several positions, including President, Chairman, and Secretary, at the American Region and Houston Province levels. Additionally, he served as the General Secretary of the Malayalee Association of Greater Houston in 2000. His dedication has persisted throughout the years, as he serves as the Vice President – Admin in the American Region. He was able to serve as the Houston Bureau Coordinator for Reporter TV USA.

Finally, he is the current World Malayalee Council Chairman (America Region) and has been a member of St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral Houston’s Golden Jubilee Souvenir Committee Chair. He was blessed with the opportunity to serve in multiple capacities. He hopes to continue to be a contributing member of the Indo–American community in the coming years

Regi Philip⁠Reji Philip – Philadelphia
Reji Phillip, a reporter for the Global Reporter channel, is a well-known journalist. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and manages the creative department in several visual and online media.

 

 

Jacob Abraham⁠Jacob Abraham – NY
Jacob Abraham is the CEO of Hedge Events and the publisher of Hedge News. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, Jacob has successfully led Hedge Events to become a premier event management company known for its innovative and high-quality events. His leadership has also elevated Hedge News, a prominent publication that offers in-depth analysis and insights into the financial world. Jacob’s expertise and dedication have made him a respected figure in the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of excellence in event management and financial journalism.

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Dr Renee MehraDr. Renee Mehra – Chicago
Dr. Renee Mehra has been working in the media since 1990. Renee is the host of the show ‘Renee Report’, which provides media coverage on politics, health, human interest stories, fashion, film, theater, and current affairs. She has been the president of Reenbow Media, an advertising, broadcasting, and public relations company since 2010. She acted as associate director of external affairs department NYC health, hospitals/Queens from 2014 to 2017. After earning a BA in broadcast journalism from the University of New York, and an MA in political management and public relations from the George Washington University, she received her doctorate from Walden University.

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Joseph JohnJoseph John – Calgary, CAD
Joseph John is a Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG) and a Calgary-based freelance reporter who is president of the Alberta Chapter of the Indo-American Press Club. Joseph has also been the president of the Malayalee Cultural Association of Calgary, which has more than 4,000 members. Joseph John, founder, and organizer of ‘Kavya Sandhya,’ which promotes literary and cultural activities for children in Calgary. In addition, he serves as the Canada coordinator of ‘Malayalam Mission’, (The Malayalam Mission is an initiative by the Government of Kerala to provide opportunities for Malayalees around the world to learn their mother tongue, Malayalam). He was the secretary of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and for the Association of Materials Protection and Performance, Calgary Chapter of the U.S. & Canada Northern Area.

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Cyriac ScariaCyriac Scaria – San Antonio
Medi-Lightment journalist, entrepreneur, wellness missionary, and proponent of “BYGA Wellness” (Build Yourself Great Again) via health and nutrition. Currently working on projects that reduce medication dependence and increase happiness through overall well-being.

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Korason VargheseKorason Varghese – NY
Previously served as the General Secretary and Executive VP of IAPC. Columnist, Cartooninst and interviewer. Regional Director, Y’s Men’s Club of US and UN Representaive. Served as the International PRO of the worldwide Service Organization. Published Two books and recieved several Media Awards and recognitions.

 

 

Joji Kavanal⁠Joji Kavanal – NY
Joji Kavanal is the treasurer of the Malankara Archdiocese of North America and one of the founding directors of the Indo-American Press Club. He also served as the director of Jaihind TV USA from 2010 to 2013. He was chief editor of Malankara Deepam annual publication of the Malankara Archdiocese

He practiced law in the Kerala high court and is also a treasurer of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association. His extensive experience and dedication have significantly contributed to his leadership roles within the diaspora community, bridging cultural and professional ties between India and North America.

⁠Anil AugustineAnil Augustine – Atlanta
Anil Augustine is an Atlanta, GA resident, professionally a Public Relations (PR) management consultant in the International Trade, Media, and Human Resource domains. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director of an enterprise advisory firm www.AuguDEST.com, which assists global entrepreneurs, in reaching expertise in bilateral global trade, Media, PR & HR avenues. He is the joint promoter at the marketplace aggregator – Rural Agricultural Development Technology and Research. Anil serves on the Henry County, GA School System’s Advisory Council Board Since 2016 and the Eagle’s Landing Middle School as President of the PTO Board since 2019. As a Public Relations Officio, Anil is involved with Global Indian Council, a diaspora advocacy institution and World Malayalee Council, the global fraternity of Kerala diaspora. He serves on the Executive Board of the Federation of Malayalee Associations in Americas (FOMAA) immigration advocacy initiative – L.i.F.e, FOMAA Legal Immigration Federation, Anil served as the National Vice-president of IAPC and enthusiastically contributed to the International Media Convention in 2018 as the IAPC Atlanta Chapter Advisory Board member.

Morley NairMorley J. Nair – Philadelphia
Morley (Murali) J. Nair is a lawyer, journalist, writer, and a world traveler. Based in Philadelphia, PA, he has been practicing law for the past 30 years. He has published numerous works of fiction and non-fiction, both in English and Malayalam, in the leading newspapers and periodicals in India, the United States, the UK, and the Middle East. For several years, he has been the Jeddah-based correspondent for the Riyadh Daily newspaper, published from the Saudi capital. Mr. Nair has published four books in Malayalam – two collections of short stories, a travelogue, and a novel; and two books in English – The Monsoon Mystic (a novel) and Chorashastra: The Subtle Science of Thievery (published by Penguin India and short-listed for the Bangalore-based Atta Galatta Literary Prize – translation of eminent writer V.J. James’ novel Chorashastram). He has received a number of literary awards, both in India and the US. He is also an avid world traveler – has visited about 120 countries and has been on about 40 cruises around the world so far.

iapc logo 256Indo American Press Club (IAPC) is the fast-growing syndicate of print, visual, online, and electronic media journalists and other media-related professionals of Indian origin working in the United States, Canada, and Europe. IAPC is committed to enhancing the working conditions of our journalists, exchanging ideas, and offering educational and training opportunities to our members, aspiring young journalists, and media professionals around the globe; and also by honoring media people for their excellence, and for bringing positive changes through their dedicated service among the community. Today IAPC envisages its vision through collective efforts and advocacy activities through its 15 Chapters across the US and Canada, in the larger public sphere.

ITServe Members Serve As Judges At The United States Congressional App Challenge Contest

Ajay GhoshEducation, Technology 0

Members of ITServe Alliance, the largest association of IT Services organizations across the United States, comprising of over 2200 small and medium-sized businesses were chosen to be and were part of the Judges Panel at the prestigious United States Congressional App Challenge Contest held last month.

App ChallengeEstablished by members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education fields. The nationwide contest allows high school students from across the country to compete with other students who reside in their congressional district by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “APP” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

During the event organized by Illinois’s 11th Congressional District, Vinay Mahajan addressed the APP participants and congratulated the winner, a 10th grader from Illinois who developed the Dermidetect APP, a skin cancer detector using AI.

“We are extremely proud that Omprakash Nakka, Tanuj Gundlapalli, Jagan Chitiprolu, and Venkat Yerubandi, allVinay Mahajan active members of ITServe had the privilege of serving as Judges for the Congressional App Challenge Program,” said Mr. Vinay Mahajan, President of ITServe Alliance. “Such contests across the nation by Congressional Offices is very encouraging of our young and aspiring entrepreneurs and is in sync with the objectives of ITServe Alliance in promoting and advocating for local talents and resources that are aimed at the United States maintaining its leadership in technology and innovation,” Mahajan added.

Siva Moopanar, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC), who has been instrumental in coordinating with the Congressional Offices for ITServe’s participation in the Congressional APP Challenge said, “We acknowledge that this program provides a great opportunity for us at ITServe to engage with Lawmakers and make a positive impact on our upcoming generation of innovators in Science and Technology.”

Congressional App JudgesITServe recognizes that this is a great program and has plans to engage with more Congressmen for similar opportunities in the coming years.  ITServe has offered allocating funds from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) STEM Funds to support this program by collaborating directly with the congressional App challenge organizers. ITServe has advocated for and has invested Millions of Dollars on its STEM Education Program to promote the “American Ingenuity Account” to fund State-administered grants for STEM education and worker training.

The Congressional App Challenge is sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation (IEF), which assists offices in hosting the challenges in their individual districts. Those interested in participating may visit the Congressional App Challenge website for more details. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each Congress Member office. Please visit the Congressional App Challenge website to confirm your district’s participation and obtain guidance on entry guidelines and other details.

ITServe Alliance represents many prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States. With an active membership of 2,200 + members who are small & medium-sized companies, ITServe has 21 Chapters and doing business all over the U.S. Together, the Itserve members have 175,000+ IT professionals employed throughout the U.S and generate over $12 billion in revenue annually. Its members play a critical role in developing and maintaining essential IT systems for corporations, governments, and various organizations. For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Leadership Welcomes H-1B Visa Renewal Program Benefitting IT Professionals

Ajay GhoshImmigration, Technology 0

ITServe Alliance, with an active membership of 2,200 + members who are small & medium-sized prestigious IT service companies, with similar interests across the United States, has expressed its overwhelming support for the new U.S. State Department’s Pilot Domestic Visa Renewal Program, limited to H1B Visas, which is launched in December of this year, mainly benefiting Information Technology professionals.

The pilot initiative by the U.S. State Department aims to alleviate long wait times for visa appointments, initially issuing 20,000 visas to foreign nationals already in the US in the IT sector with their significant skilled workforce presence.

Highlights of the H-1B Visa Renewal Program:

> The Pilot Visa Renewal Program aims to have around 20,000 work visa renewals, constituting approximately 10% of the anticipated 583,420 H-1B visa holders.

> The program will reduce the waiting period, ease the process of renewals, and eradicate the need for individuals to go back to their home country for appointments.

> Presently, visa applicants must wait for an average period of 130 days for appointments in their home country. Moreover, individuals are restricted from traveling abroad until their visa has been renewed every three years.

> The streamlined renewal process also intends to free up valuable time for US missions abroad to concentrate on new candidates.

> A formal notice in the U.S. Federal Register will be published this month and it will detail the procedures, requirements, and guidelines for the first round of applicants, covering 20,000 cases from December to February. This will pave the way for the State Department’s plan to extend the program for more employment categories in 2024.

Lobby Day ITServeIn the past few years, ITServe leadership has continuously reiterated the need for a Domestic Visa Renewal Program with the US Congress and Department of State officials. ITServe has expressed gratitude and appreciation to Department of State for listening to its request and now bringing back this program.

“The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation,” Vinay Mahajan, ITServe Alliance President said. “The U.S. has a large skills gap – availability of workers vs the openings for talent in the IT sector. We need the brightest minds from all over the world to keep our wide lead in technology and innovation.This new initiative is a good step to achieve this goal. ”

A major objective of ITServe has been to educate lawmakers and the larger American community, using digital and traditional methods on the benefits of favorable immigration programs to businesses and eliminate misconceptions by meeting, collaborating, and lobbying with Congressmen and Senators to work together and help write and amend laws that are helpful to ITServe community.

Vinod Babu Uppu, ITServe Governing Board Chair said, “I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the hundreds of ITServe members, who continue to advocate with their local Lawmakers on behalf of ITServe, and make our voices heard on the corridors of power.”

H-1Bs are temporary, nonimmigrant visas for foreign workers with at least a bachelor’s degree, and they often go to technology workers. Currently, the number of H-1B visas is limited to 65,000 each year, although there are an additional 20,000 available to workers who have a master’s degree or higher from a US university. Enhancing the current H1-B CAP limits – from 65,000 to 130,000 per year has been a major area where ITServe has placed its efforts in recent years.

Lobby Day 2ITServe is aware that H-1B visa holders play a critical role in bolstering the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, and enriching the fabric of American society through their skills, contributions, and diverse backgrounds, and knowledge to American workplaces. They facilitate knowledge transfer and skills development by engaging in research and development activities, particularly in STEM fields, which contribute to scientific advancements and technological progress.

H-1B visa holders, possessing specialized skills and expertise in fields like STEM, which are vital for American companies to stay competitive in the global market, are a highly skilled foreign workers pool that brings numerous benefits to the United States. They fill in critical skill gaps in the labor market, contributing to economic growth and innovation, thus leading to increased productivity and competitiveness in various industries, by creating new job opportunities by starting businesses and driving entrepreneurship.

High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act, introduced by US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois covers the above increase. The Bill would strengthen U.S. competitiveness by helping to close the skills gap – the space between the skills required for jobs that employers need to fill, and the skills possessed by current prospective employees.

Lobby Day 3ITServe leadership believes that immigration laws are becoming more inclusive, which is a positive development with a commitment to easing restrictions on lawful immigrants. The evolving landscape aims to create a more accessible and accommodating environment for skilled professionals seeking opportunities in the United States.

“ITServe Alliance will continue to support and advocate for immigration reforms that will help America maintain its tech leadership in the world,” said Siva Moopanar, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC).

Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. Moreover, ITServe is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to local communities nationwide, particularly in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. For more details, please visit: www.itserve.org

Rep. Kevin Kiley Emphasizes Importance Of Itserve Alliance Members’ Contributions To The Nation, And Expresses Support For High Skilled Immigration Reform

Ajay GhoshBusiness, Immigration 0

The ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC) hosted a panel discussion on October 27th, 2023 during its annual conference, Synergy 2023.  The purpose of the panel was to review the current issues facing Congress and the Administration, especially the regarding the need for high-skilled immigration reform in the United States.

Attended by over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium-sized companies of Information Technology, Synergy 2023 was held from October 26th to 27th, 2023 at the popular Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.

Congressman Kevin Kiley, representing California’s 3rd Congressional District, and serving on the House Judiciary Committee was the featured speaker on the panel.  The House Judiciary Committee is primarily tasked with handling high-skilled immigration reform.

During his remarks, Congressman Kiley emphasized the importance of ITServe Alliance members’ contributions to the local economies and his support for high-skilled immigration reform, and expressed his support for H.R. 4647, “High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act,” introduced by US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois on July 14th, 2023.

The Bill would strengthen U.S. competitiveness by helping to close the skills gap – the space between the skills required for jobs that employers need to fill, and the skills possessed by current prospective employees. As introduced, the bill would raise the current H-1B limit from 65,000 to 130,000, remove the H-1B cap for those with a Master’s Degree or PhD, and create a STEM grant program. The HIRE Act has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration by the Committee, where Rep. Kiley is a member.

Vinay Mahajan, President of ITServe said, “Having the presence of elected officials such as Rep. Kevin Kiley at Synergy 2023 has effectively served as a powerful platform in educating policymakers on the issues that are important to our members and the business community, ensuring that our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes on Capitol Hill. The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation,” added Mahajan.

Congressman Kiley also discussed the need for all ITServe Alliance members to work with their local members of Congress to garner their support for the HIRE Act.

“Enhancing local employment and Innovation are the primary objectives of ITServe’s Policy Advocacy,” said Siva Moopanar – Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC). “Innovation is very important for job creation and the economic growth of a country. We want the best and the brightest from around the world over here which triggers the technology revolution and jobs. Our country should be on top of the world for several hundred years.”

ITServe Alliance was established in 2010 to safeguard the rights of Information Technology (IT) companies in the United States. Through its various bodies, ITServe, which has now become the collective voice of small and medium-sized IT companies across the United States, fulfills its mission to achieve its core mission and objectives.   The three fundamental pillars of the ITServe PAC are: to educate, lobby, and litigate.

The ITServe Alliance PAC team has created an easy way to contact your local member of Congress regarding the HIRE Act. Simply scan the QR code below, enter your home address and click send.  Your participation is vital to get this important legislation passed in the Congress.  For more details, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe’s Women’s Panel Discusses ‘Direct Client Engagement in the World of Contingent Workforce’

Staff ReporterWomen 0

A panel of distinguished women leaders from across the United States were part of a high-powered discussion on ‘Direct Client Engagement in the World of Contingent Workforce’ on the final day of ITServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 at the world-famous Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City in New Jersey on Friday, October 27, 2023.

ITServe womenKeisha Stephens, CCWP, Director of People Operations, Empowering Employees for Success & Driving Operational Excellence, SIA DE&I Influencer and Contingent Workforce Program Game Changer; Pamela Randall, CCWP, a Talent Solution Strategist, Change Agent with Sustainable Results and Making Possible a Better Future; Jamhali Portus, a Global Contingent Workforce Management Professional, who is passionate about creating the best-in-class contingent workforce management program with a focus on Quality, Efficiency, Cost and Risk; and, Semonie Kong, a CWP Program Manager, Atlassian, were the panelists at the lively and enlightening discussion that focussed on empowering women.

Moderated by Shabana Siraj and Lavanya Poosarla, the distinguished speakers on the panel shared with the audience a wealth of knowledge about this crucial topic, and it was heartening to see a packed audience who found it to be one of the standout sessions.

“Personally, one of the event’s highlights for me was moderating the panel discussion titled ‘Direct Client Engagement in the World of Contingent Workforce,” said Siraj. “What made this event more special was that it was an all women’s panel, highlighting the diverse perspectives and talents that are driving innovation in our industry.”

ITServe women leadersITServe Alliance Synergy 2023 has marked a significant milestone in its 13-year history, and one couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome. This event brought together an impressive lineup of keynote speakers who covered a diverse array of topics, ranging from leadership and technology to startups, immigration, PAC, M&A, and the CIO & CTO Forum.

ITServe had esteemed speakers such as @Steve Forbes from Forbes, @Jack Kass from OpenAI, Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, @Sheila Blair from FDIC, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and @Praneesh Murthy, former CEO of IGATE, sharing their valuable insights and expertise.

“Thank you to everyone who made ITServe Alliance Synergy 2023 a resounding success. Looking forward to continued collaboration and growth in the years to come, particularly for all the efforts by Vinay Mahajan, President of ITServe; Venu Sangani, Synergy Director; Jagadeesh Mosali, President-Elect ITSErve; and Vinay Parachuri,” said  Poosarla.

ITServe Women's panelKey ITServe members who were instrumental in organizing the discussions included;  Hima Kolanagireddy, Deepali Sontakke, Jyoti Vazirani, Pushyami Duvvuri, Divya Bala, Ruchi(Joshi) Anand, Anna Kolluri, Ranjani Mohana, Nazeera Dawood, and Sangita Datta.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

Hillary Clinton Expresses Profound Appreciation For The Invaluable Contributions Of ITServe Alliance

Staff ReporterTechnology, World 0

Networking, learning and sharing of knowledge, great and highly acclaimed speakers, insightful workshops, collaborating with one another, strengthening bonds, cultural and fun events, awards ceremony, showcasing of business booths and products, and delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine were the highlights of the ITServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 held from October 26th to 27th, 2023 at the popular Harrahs Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Attended by over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium size companies of Information Technology, the annual event was a way of celebrating ITServe Members’ achievements and accomplishments.

In his address to the membership, Vinay K. Mahajan, National President of ITServe Alliance highlighted how under his able leadership, ITServe has grown and strengthened in its mission in protecting members interest, enhancing membership benefits, empowering local employment, empowering local community through various CSR programs including STEM education, and empowering ecosystem of innovation and thus maintaining the leadership of US in Technology.

“Travelling to all the 21 Chapters across the United States in 8 months after I assumed office, I was instrumental in achieving membership to newer heights with more than 700+ new members added in 2023. Two new Chapters were launched. IT Serve Alliance is led by highly talented individuals, phenomenally successful entrepreneurs, and Innovators who are enthusiastic about giving back to the community.” He strengthened STEM Education program by adding STEM Training and Internship programs and enhancing STEM scholarships program.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023, who led a dedicated and visionary team organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering, you have opportunities for growth and learning, forging a path with connections, with featuring seven keynote sessions from seven different domain panels, panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions. The essence of Synergy lies not only knowledge exchanges but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions.”

Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair of ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2023 focused on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023, who led a dedicated and visionary team in organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering, with opportunities for growth and learning, forging a path with connections, featuring seven keynote sessions from seven different domain panels, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions. The essence of Synergy lies not only in knowledge exchanges but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Chief Guest at ITServe Alliance’s Synergy 2023, shared with the audience about her life and aspirations, expressed appreciation for the contributions of the high skilled immigrant community and urged them to play an active role in the society. Ms. Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State of the United States has dedicated over four decades of her life in public service, serving as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and US Senator.

Secretary Clinton praised the contributions and accomplishments of the high-skilled immigrants to this country. She said, “I’m so proud of the many accomplishments of the ITServe member companies in the United States. I really want to thank you and commend you for the extraordinary contributions to the nation.  I was so impressed by the many contributions you’ve made, in addition to building your businesses and providing employment for people.”

Secretary Clinton stressed the importance of Health Insurance program particularly for the children. When it comes to US immigration issues, she advocated for reforming our immigration system to attract the most talented individuals from around the globe. This, in turn, would drive innovation and foster growth in our nation. Additionally, she advocated for a bipartisan approach to address this issue.

ITServe members were filled with immense pride as they welcomed distinguished guests to their Synergy events. In 2021, they were honored to host President George W. Bush in Dallas, followed by President Bill Clinton and a former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in 2022 in Orlando. The pinnacle of their achievements came in 2023, as they were graced by the presence of Secretary Ms. Clinton at Synergy in Atlantic City.

These momentous occasions were a testament to the organization’s commitment to excellence and its ability to attract influential figures to its gatherings. These remarkable leaders graced the Synergy events with their presence, making each gathering a memorable and prestigious occasion for ITServe and its members.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton Expresses Profound Appreciation For The Invaluable Contributions Of ITServe Alliance

Ajay GhoshWorld, Technology 0
Networking, learning and sharing of knowledge, great and highly acclaimed speakers, insightful workshops, collaborating with one another, strengthening bonds, cultural and fun events, awards ceremony, showcasing of business booths and products, and delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine were the highlights of the ITServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 held from October 26th to 27th, 2023 at the popular Harrahs Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Attended by over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium size companies of Information Technology, the annual event was a way of celebrating ITServe Members’ achievements and accomplishments.

In his address to the membership, Vinay K. Mahajan, National President of ITServe Alliance highlighted how under his able leadership, ITServe has grown and strengthened in its mission in protecting members’ interest, enhancing membership benefits, empowering local employment, empowering local community through various CSR programs including STEM education, and empowering the ecosystem of innovation and thus maintaining the leadership of US in Technology.

“Travelling to all the 21 Chapters across the United States in 8 months after I assumed office, I was instrumental in achieving membership to newer heights with more than 700+ new members added in 2023. Two new Chapters were launched. IT Serve Alliance is led by highly talented individuals, phenomenally successful entrepreneurs, and Innovators who are enthusiastic about giving back to the community.” He strengthened STEM Education program by adding STEM Training and Internship programs and enhancing STEM scholarships program.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023, who led a dedicated and visionary team organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering, you have opportunities for growth and learning, forging a path with connections, with featuring seven keynote sessions from seven different domain panels, panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions. The essence of Synergy lies not only knowledge exchanges but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions.”

Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair of ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2023 focused on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023, who led a dedicated and visionary team in organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering, with opportunities for growth and learning, forging a path with connections, featuring seven keynote sessions from seven different domain panels, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions. The essence of Synergy lies not only in knowledge exchanges but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Chief Guest at ITServe Alliance’s Synergy 2023, shared with the audience about her life and aspirations, expressed appreciation for the contributions of the high skilled immigrant community and urged them to play an active role in the society. Ms. Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State of the United States has dedicated over four decades of her life in public service, serving as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and US Senator.

Secretary Clinton praised the contributions and accomplishments of the high-skilled immigrants to this country. She said, “I’m so proud of the many accomplishments of the ITServe member companies in the United States. I really want to thank you and commend you for the extraordinary contributions to the nation.  I was so impressed by the many contributions you’ve made, in addition to building your businesses and providing employment for people.

Secretary Clinton stressed the importance of Health Insurance program particularly for the children. When it comes to US immigration issues, she advocated for reforming our immigration system to attract the most talented individuals from around the globe. This, in turn, would drive innovation and foster growth in our nation. Additionally, she advocated for a bipartisan approach to address this issue.

ITServe members were filled with immense pride as they welcomed distinguished guests to their Synergy events. In 2021, they were honored to host President George W. Bush in Dallas, followed by President Bill Clinton and a former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in 2022 in Orlando. The pinnacle of their achievements came in 2023, as they were graced by the presence of Secretary Ms. Clinton at Synergy in Atlantic City.

These momentous occasions were a testament to the organization’s commitment to excellence and its ability to attract influential figures to its gatherings. These remarkable leaders graced the Synergy events with their presence, making each gathering a memorable and prestigious occasion for ITServe and its members.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Alliance’s Highly Successful Synergy 2023 Sets the Path for a Brighter Future

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

(November 9th, 2023: Atlantic City, NJ) Networking, learning, and sharing of knowledge, great and highly acclaimed speakers, insightful workshops, collaborating with one another, strengthening bonds, celebrating one’s achievements and accomplishments, cultural and fun events, awards ceremony, showcasing of business booths and products, and delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine, and attended by over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium size companies of Information Technology were only some of the highlights of ITServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 held from October 26th to 27th, 2023 at the popular Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.

In his presidential address, Vinay K. Mahajan, National President of ITServe Alliance, welcomed the members, leaders, chapter presidents, sponsors, and volunteers to Synergy 2023 and expressed his “sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment, and dedication, and for investing your time and energy and resources. You are the backbone of our organization, and your unwavering commitment is what propels us forward.”

Describing the mission of ITServe Mahajan said, “We are the voice representing the interests of small and medium scale enterprises of IT industry, protecting our members’ interests. We give back to the community and invest in startups, which is to help the United States maintain its leadership in innovation and technology. It is about coming together, collaborating, and liberating our collective strength. It is about finding synergy, not only within our own businesses but also across our entire community.”

Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair of ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2023 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023 said, “As we gather here, let’s remember that our unity as a community is our strength. I took on this leadership role, an opportunity, driven with a single objective: to help at the end of the conference, each attendee departs with concrete insight to grow their business to the next level. Because in all of you here today, there is both gratitude and a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing our collective vision is alive and thriving.”

Sangani, who led a dedicated and visionary team organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering. The essence of synergy lies not only very knowledge exchange but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions, be it scaling your business to the next level, diversifying investments or starting new territories. Let’s make the most of Synergy.”

Jagadish Mosali, President-Elect of ITServe said, “Hope everyone at our flagship event has enjoyed Synergy 2023. Some of you know and some might not know the countless amount of time our “Volunteer CEOs” from the Synergy Team as well as the Board have spent to make the event successful as you have seen. My deepest appreciation to both Sung Hero’s as well as  the “Unsung Heroes. Thank you all for your service and commitment to the organization and giving back to the community.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Chief Guest at Synergy 2023 delivered the Keynote Address during an interactive session with ITServe members on October 27th evening. Ms. Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State of the United States has dedicated over four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and US Senator.

During a candid “Fireside Chat” Secretary Clinton shared with the audience very candidly about her private life, growing up as a child, her marriage to Bill Clinton, struggles in managing careers as a daughter, wife, mother, and a public figure holding numerous important positions locally, nationally and internationally.

Secretary Clinton praised the contributions and accomplishments of the fast-growing and influential ITServe Alliance members. She said, “I’m so proud of the many accomplishments of the Diaspora in the United States. I want to thank you and commend you for your extraordinary contributions to the nation.  I am so impressed by the many contributions you’ve made, in addition to building your businesses and providing employment for people.”

Secretary Clinton urged the ITServe member community “to continue to be involved in your communities, to be members of civic clubs, volunteer groups and take part in American society in every way possible, and also decide if you so may choose to become an American citizen. And for those of you who have children, who are American citizens, guide them to be very active. Not just getting their education or being a successful person economically but being involved in civic life. There’s a lot to it. I know you are good role models for people in many parts of our country. So, I am very grateful for the many contributions that you are making and will make in the future.”

Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media spoke about “Leadership Lessons: The Stunning Parallels Between Great Leaders of the World and Today’s Top Business Leaders.” He said, “You have to do things even if you feel you’re not fully ready to do it. The next year or two will be very severe. But also keep in mind that enormous positive changes are coming. There will be in 2025, after the elections, with your help a new immigration law on H1 B Visas, virtually unlimited to meet the needs of a growing economy.” Giving hope in this world of wars, Forbes pointed to areas of hope. “We saw it in the meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi weeks ago. These forces are coming together to make sure there is peace in the world.”

Phaneesh Murthy, Founder & CEO of Primentor addressed the audience with his insightful talk on, “Strategies for Scaling and Sustaining a Successful IT Company from One to 100 Million Plus” The keynote address by Zack Kass, Technology Futurist, and Generative AI Solutions Specialist focused on: “AI for Small Business Success: Navigating the Future of Entrepreneurship.”

Ashish Agarwal from Turbo Start, DVC led the Startup Cube Panel on “GTM Pitfalls Faced by Growing Startups.”  Post Lunch, a Financial Panel Discussion explored “Alternative Investments for Diversified Business Portfolios and Funding Solutions for Diversified Growth.” The Breakout Session in the Afternoon was about: “Mastering the Art of Effective Recruiting in the Staffing Industry” by Barbara Bruno.

“State, County, City, High-Ed & Federal Government Contracting: Opportunities & Challenges” was yet another important topic at the Breakout Session in the afternoon and was led by Nazeera Dawood, CEO of Vendorship.net. The M & A Panel Discussion deliberated on, “Driving Growth and Value Through Strategic M&A: Opportunities and Challenges: Accelerating Business Expansion.”

Another interesting Breakout Session on the first day was about, “Increase Cash Flow $$$ and Collect Bad Debt,” led by Douglas Fuchs at Goldman, Evans & Trammell LLC.

Kevin O’Leary, a Venture Capitalist and Star of ABC’s Shark Tank delivered the Evening keynote address on: “The Path to Profit: Strategies for Building a Successful Business.” Through specific portrayals from his popular Shark Tank, his insightful address to the loud applause from the crowd referred to successful business strategies to enhance business profits.

During the Gala ITServe honored the Grand Sponsors: Four Oaks Insurance and TrackEx, as well as the Platinum Sponsors of Synergy 2023: AG FinTax, BBI Law Group, Ceipal, Imagility, Oorwin, Q 1 Technologies, SOMIREDDY Law, Tech Insurance Agency, and Vitel Global were honored for their generous support to ITServe Alliance and its Synergy 2023. In addition, 20 Platinum Members of ITServe were honored during the Gala with Mementos.

The morning of October 27th began with the keynote address on “Navigating the Financial Crises and Regulatory Landscape: Lessons Learned and Insights for IT Staffing Company Owners” by Sheila Bair, Former FDIC Chair.

Other sessions in the morning included a Startup Cube Finals on GTM Pitfalls Faced by Growing Startups, which Ashish Agarwal, Turbo Start, DVC led. The Immigration Panel Discussion focused on “Navigating Immigration Challenges and Policies.” The CXO Panel focused on “The Evolving Role of IOs and CTOs in AI and ChatGPT Powered Digital Transformation.” Other panel discussions addressed issues related to “Contracts And Litigations,” and “Direct Client Engagement in the World of Contingent Workforce.”

A Special Guest Session at Synergy was a “Dialogue with Yuvraj Singh,” a highly popular international Cricketer, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. Synergy 2023 will conclude with a Live Musical Concert by Bollywood Playback Singer and Filmfare Awardee Kanika Kapoor.

During Synergy 2023, ITServe honored high-achieving Entrepreneurs with Leadership Awards. ITServe Alliance recognized and honored companies that have demonstrated exceptional growth and success during a specific period. The ITServe Fastest Growing Company Awards were a testament to the impact of businesses that embrace innovation and strive for excellence.

Ashok Dandamudi, PR Director for ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 offered participants a platform to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.

Amar Varada, Chair of Synergy 2023 said, “Synergy 2023 had prominent speakers, and valuable sponsorships, and helped grow a community network of industry professionals across the country. We are grateful to the unwavering support of our members, volunteers, and sponsors, whose collective efforts made this event a memorable one for all.”

Anil Atyam, Chair of Speakers for Synergy 2023 emphasized the curated lineup of speakers and panels. “We are thrilled to have a diverse and esteemed set of speakers for this year’s conference. From policymakers, and technology leaders to industry innovators, our speakers are pivotal in shaping the discussions and providing invaluable insights that can be immediately applied in various sectors of the IT industry.”

As a participant at Synergy put it, “Synergy 2023 an incredible experience, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of it. The energy and enthusiasm that you brought to the event were truly inspiring, and I came away with a wealth of knowledge and new connections. Once again, thank you for all of your hard work in putting together such a fantastic event.”

With cultural events, music, dance, and sumptuous food, in addition to all the learning and sharing of knowledge, Synergy 2023 provided actionable insights and strategies that companies can directly implement, serving as a catalyst for taking businesses to the next level. Beyond being an arena for networking and knowledge sharing, Synergy 2023 has proved to be a veritable marketplace for ideas and innovations.

Led by an amazing, energetic, and inspiring leadership, ITServe is a fully voluntary organization, where its members and leaders dedicate their valuable time and resources, working selflessly to strengthen the organization and its mission to give back to the larger society. ITServe’s core leadership consists of: Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair; Vinay Mahajan, President; Jagadeesh Mosali, President-Elect; Anju Vallabhaneni, Secretary; Mahesh Sake, Treasurer; Ravi K. Komatireddy, Joint Secretary; Sunil Savili, Joint Treasurer. The Governing Board Members include Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair; Shashidhar Devireddy, National President 2016; Gopi Kandukuri, National President 2018; Amar Varada, Synergy Chair 2023, & National President 2020; Raghu Chittimalla, National President 2021; Devender Aerrabolu, National President 2022; and, Vinay Mahajan, current National President.

In addition to the 21 ITServe Chapter Presidents across the United States and the dozens of various Committee Chairs, the Executive Board of Directors of ITSeve, who play a critical role in enhancing the mission and vision of ITServe Alliance include: Manish Mehra, Director Chapter Relations; Samba Movva, Director-Corporate Social Responsibility; Srikanth Dasugari, Director-Membership; Ram Nandyala, Director-Benefits & New Chapters Launch; Siva Moopanar, Director-Political Action Committee; Ashok Dandamudi, Director – Public Relations  & Media; Omprakash Nakka. Director- Products & Startups; Dasarath Kunapaneni, Director – Sponsorship; Venu Sangani, Director – Synergy; Vinay Parachuri, Director – Bylaws; and, Anil Atyam, Director – Technology.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe’s Flagship Synergy 2023 Held In Atlantic City

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

(November 1st, 2023: Atlantic City, NJ) Networking, learning and sharing of knowledge, great and hignly acclaimed speakers, insightful workshops, collaborating with one another, strengthening bonds, celebrating one’s achievements and accomplishments, cultural and fun events, awards ceremony, showcasing of business booths and products, and delicious and multi-ethnic cuisine, and attended by over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium size companies of Information Technology were only some of the highlights of ItServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 held from October 26th to 27th, 2023 at the popular Harrahs Resport in Atlantic City, NJ.

In his Presidential address, Vinay K. Mahajan, National President of ITServe Alliance, welcomed the members, leaders, chapter presidents, sponsors, and volunteers to Synergy 2023 and expressed his “sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment, and dedication, and for investing your time and energy and resources. You are the backbone of our organization, and your unwavering commitment is what propels us forward.”

Describing the mission of ITServe Mr. Mahajan said, “We are the voice represent the interests of small and medium scale enterprises of IT industry, protecting our members’ interests. We give back to the community, and invest in startups, which is to help the United States maintain the leadership in innovation and technology. It is about coming together, collaborating and liberating our collective strength. It is about finding synergy, not only within our own businesses but also across our entire community.”

Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023 said, “As we gather here, let’s remember that our unity as a community is our strength. I took on this leadership role, an opportunity, driven with a single objective: to help at the end of the conference, each attendee departs with concrete insight to grow their business to the next level. Because in all of you here today, there is both gratitude and deep sense of accomplishment, knowing our collective vision is alive and thriving.”

Sanghani, who led a dedicated and visionary team organizing this historic event said, “Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering. The essence of it so synergy lies not only very knowledge exchange, but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions, be it scaling your business to the next level, or diversifying investments or starting new territories. Let’s make the most of Synergy.”

Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair of ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2023 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

Jagadish Modsali, President-Elect of ITServe said, “Hope everyone at our flagship event has enjoyed Synergy 2023. Some of you know and some might not know the countless amount of time our “Volunteer CEOs” from Synergy Team as well as the Board have spent to make the event successful as you have seen. My deepest appreciation to both Sung Hero’s as well as  the “Unsung Heroes.”. Thank you all for your service and commitment to the organization and giving back to community.”

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Chief Guest at Synergy 2023 delivered the Keynote Address during an interactive session with ITServe members on October 27th evening. Ms. Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State of the United States has dedicated over four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and US Senator.

During a candid “Fireside Chat” Secretary Clinton shared with the audience very candidly about her private life, growing up as a child, her marriage to Bill Clinton, struggles in managing careers as a daughter, wife, mother, and a public figure holding numerous important positions locally, nationally and internationally.

Secretary Clinton praised the contributions and accomplishments of the fast-growing Indian Americans. She said, “I’m so proud of the many accomplishments of the Indian diaspora in the United States. I really want to thank you and commend you for the extraordinary contributions to the nation.  I was so impressed by the many contributions you’ve made, in addition to building your businesses and providing employment for people.:

Secretary Clinton urged the Indian Diaspora “to continue to be involved in your communities,to be members of civic clubs. volunteer groups, and really take part in American society in every way possible, and also to make the decision if you so choose, to become an American citizen and as you wish to do. And for those of you who are the children, who are American citizens, guide them to be very active. Not just getting their education or being a successful person economically, but to be involved in things. There’s a lot to it. So, I think that the Indian diaspora, you know are good role models for people in many parts of our country. So, I personally am very grateful for the many contributions that you are making and will make in the future.”

Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Media spoke about “Leadership Lessons: The Stunning Parallels Between Great Leaders of the World and Today’s Top Business Leaders.” He said, “You have to do things even if you feel you’re not fully ready to do it. The next year or two will be very severe. But also keep in mind that enormous positive changes are coming. There will be in 2025, after the elections, with your help a new immigration law on H1 B Visas, virtually unlimited to meet the needs of a growing economy.” Giving hope in this world of wars, Forbes pointed to areas of hope. “We saw it in the meeting between President Biden, Prime Minister Modi weeks ago. These forces are coming together to make sure there is peace in the world.”

Phaneesh Murthy, Founder & CEO of Primentor addressed the audience with his insightful talk on, “Strategies for Scaling and Sustaining a Successful IT Company from One to 100 Million Plus” The keynote address by Zack Kass, Technology Futurist, and Generative AI Solutions Specialist focused on: “AI for Small Business Success: Navigating the Future of Entrepreneurship.”

Ashish Agarwal from Turbo Start, DVC led the Startup Cube Panel on “GTM Pitfalls Faced by Growing Startups.”  Post Lunch, a Financial Panel Discussion explored “Alternative Investments for Diversified Business Portfolios and Funding Solutions for Diversified Growth.” The Breakout Session in the Afternoon was about: “Mastering the Art of Effective Recruiting in the Staffing Industry” by Barbara Bruno.

“State, County, City, High-Ed & Federal Government Contracting: Opportunities & Challenges” was yet another important topic at the Breakout Session in the afternoon and was led by Nazeera Dawood, CEO of Vendorship.net. The M & A Panel Discussion deliberated on, “Driving Growth and Value Through Strategic M&A: Opportunities and Challenges: Accelerating Business Expansion.” Another interesting Breakout Session on the first day was about, “Increase Cash Flow $$$ and Collect Bad Debt,” led by Douglas Fuchs at Goldman, Evans & Trammell LLC.

Kevin O’Leary, a Venture Capitalist, Star of ABC’s Shark Tank delivered the Evening keynote address on: “The Path to Profit: Strategies for Building a Successful Business.” Through specific portrayals from his popular Shark Tank, his insightful address to the loud applauses from the crowd referred to successful business strategies to enhance business profits.

During the evening Gala Grand Sponsors: Four Oaks Insurance and TrackEx as well as the Platinum Sponsors of Synergy 2023: AG Fintax, BBI Law Group, Ceipa; Corp, Imagility, Oorwin, Q 1  Technologies, Somireddy Law, T I A Tech Insurance Agency, and Vitel Global were honored for their generous support to ITSereve Alliance.

As a participant at Synergy put it, “Synergy 2023 an incredible experience, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of it. The energy and enthusiasm that you brought to the event were truly inspiring, and I came away with a wealth of knowledge and new connections. Once again, thank you for all of your hard work in putting together such a fantastic event.”

With cultural events, music and dance, sumptuous food, in addition to all the learning and sharing of knowledge, Synergy 2023 provided actionable insights and strategies that companies can directly implement, serving as a catalyst for taking businesses to the next level. Beyond being an arena for networking and knowledge sharing, Synergy 2023 has proved to be a veritable marketplace for ideas and innovations.

“Synergy 2023 had prominent speakers, and valuable sponsorships, and helped grow a community network of industry professionals across the country,” said Amar Varada, Chair of Synergy 2023.

Anil Atyam, Chair of Speakers for Synergy 2023 emphasized the curated lineup of speakers and panels. “We are thrilled to have a diverse and esteemed set of speakers for this year’s conference. From policymakers, and technology leaders to industry innovators, our speakers are pivotal in shaping the discussions and providing invaluable insights that can be immediately applied in various sectors of the IT industry.”

Ashok Dandamudi, PR Director for ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 offered participants with a platform to come together to hear industry leaders speak, engage in discussions with lawmakers, participate in interactive breakout sessions, deliberate on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the world of IT Staffing and Technology.

The morning of October 27th began with the keynote address on “Navigating the Financial Crises and Regulatory Landscape: Lessons Learned and Insights for IT Staffing Company Owners” by Sheila Bair, Former FDIC Chair.

Other sessions in the morning included a Startup Cube Finals on GTM Pitfalls Faced by Growing Startups, which were led by Ashish Agarwal, Turbo Start, DVC. The Immigration Panel Discussion focused on “Navigating Immigration Challenges and Policies.” The CXO Panel’s focused on “The Evolving Role of IOs and CTOs in AI and ChatGPT Powered Digital Transformation.” Other panel discussions addressed issues related to “Contracts And Litigations,” and “Direct Client Engagement in the World of Contingent Workforce.”

A Special Guest Session at Synergy was a “Dialogue with Yuvraj Singh,” a highly popular international Cricketer, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. Synergy 2023 will conclude with a Live Musical Concert by Bollywood Playback Singer and Filmfare Awardee Kanika Kapoor.

During Synergy 2023, ITServe honored high achieving Entrepreneurs with Leadership Awards. ITServe Alliance recognized and honored companies that have demonstrated exceptional growth and success during a specific period. The ITServe Fastest Growing Company Awards were a testament to the impact of businesses that embrace innovation and strive for excellence.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

Synergy 2023 Begins in Atlantic City, Celebrating Remarkable Achievements of ITServe Members

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Technology 0

(October 27, 2023: Atlantic City, NJ) ItServe Alliance’s flagship Synergy 2023 was inaugurated here on Thursday, October 26th, 2023 as over 2,200 members of ITServe Alliance, who are small and medium size companies of Information Technology came together at Harras Resort in Atlantic City in New Jersey for networking, learning and sharing of knowledge, collaborating with one another, strengthening bonds, and celebrating their achievements and accomplishments.

In his Presidential Welcome address, Vinay K. Mahajan, National President of ITServe Alliance, welcomed the members, leaders, chapter presidents, sponsors, and volunteers to Synergy 2023 and expressed his “sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment, and dedication, and for investing your time and energy and resources. You are the backbone of our organization, and your unwavering commitment is what propels us forward.”

Describing the mission of ITServe Mr. Mahajan said, “We’re in the forefront, guiding and empowering its members. ITServe today is a powerful force focused on safeguarding the interests of small and medium business enterprises. We have more than 2,200 member companies, spread over 21 Chapters, they generate 175,000 high paying jobs across the United States. Our members contribute almost $12 billion to the US GDP. We at ITServe Alliance are immensely proud of us for being very successful. We are the voice represent the interests of small and medium scale enterprises of IT industry, protecting our members’ interests. We give back to the community, and invest in startups, which is to help the United States maintain the leadership in innovation and technology.”

Mahajan went on to say, “I always thank you members, because of you, we are all strong together. Our success today is not about working alone in isolation. It is about coming together, collaborating and liberating our collective strength. It is about finding synergy, not only within our own businesses but also across our entire community. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, our role today is even more critical. We are not just service providers. We are architects of transformation. We shape the future of industries and enhance the lives of individuals worldwide. This event is dedicated to you. Together we will innovate and lead the way in the IT services industry. Thank you for being part of synergy. Let us embark on the journey together and fueled by the spirit of collaboration and the pursuit of success.”

In his opening remarks, Venu Sangani, Director of Synergy 2023 said, “As we gather here, let’s remember that our unity as a community is our strength. Last year in Orlando, Florida, I took on this leadership role, an opportunity, driven with a single objective:  to help at the end of the conference, each attendee departs with concrete insight to grow their business to the next level. Because in all of you here today, there is both gratitude and deep sense of accomplishment, knowing our collective vision is alive and thriving.”

Sanghani, who led a dedicated and visionary team organizing this historic event said, “ Synergy 2023 is our landmark flagship gathering, whether you’re a familiar face from previous years, or you’re experiencing this your first time, I promise you that the opportunities for growth and learning forging a path with connections during this event unmatching with featuring seven keynote sessions from seven different domain panels, panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions and I encourage each one of you to be fully present, engage dynamically and above all, collaborate with fellow members. The essence of it so synergy lies not only very knowledge exchange, but inspiring one another. Let the success stories of fellow entrepreneurs ignite your ambitions, be it scaling your business to the next level, or diversifying investments or starting new territories. That is going to happen at Synergy 2023. Let’s make the most of Synergy.”

Vinodbabu Uppu, Governing Board Chair of ITServe said, “Synergy 2023 is the only one-of-a-kind conference delivering innovative strategies, unique insights, and proven tactics for success, exclusively for IT service companies and individuals. Synergy 2023 will focus on developing strategic relationships with our partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters to work for a better technology environment by building greater understanding.”

In his inspiring inaugural keynote address, Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Media sooke about “Leadership Lessons: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the World and Today’s Top Business Leaders.” Forbes said, “You have to do things even if you feel you’re not fully ready to do it. The next year or two will be very severe. But also keep in mind that enormous positive changes are coming. For example, the issue of immigration today looks hopeless in a town called Washington, which is becoming the epitome of hopelessness. There will be in 2025, after the elections, with your help a new immigration law on H1 B Visas, virtually unlimited to meet the needs of a growing economy.”

Referring to the global situation, Forbes said, “We know we live in a world today, where Russia, China, North Korea and Iran feel that the United States is a declining power. China has made very clear it wants world domination. Russia under Putin has made it very clear he wants to recreate the Soviet empire. Iran wants to be the hegemony of the Middle East and control the oil and dominate the region and ultimately eliminate Israel. In the crazy border wars, China keeps pushing against India. Not a good environment.”

Giving hope in this world of wars, Forbes pointed to areas of hope. “We saw it in the meeting between President Biden, Prime Minister Modi weeks ago. The meetings with South Korea, Japan and the United States. Whoever would have thought that Japan and South Korea would be cooperating with one another. These forces are coming together to make sure there is peace in the world.” In the domestic front, Forbes advocated for tangible, practical and cost-effective measures with minimum regulations to address the issues affecting the United States, which includes, rising inflation, climate change, labor market and annual growth of the economy.

Phaneesh Murthy, Founder & CEO of Primentor addressed the audience with his insightful talk on, “Strategies for Scaling and Sustaining a Successful IT Company from One to 100 Million Plus” The keynote address by Zack Kass, Technology Futurist, and Generative AI Solutions Specialist focused on: “AI for Small Business Success: Navigating the Future of Entrepreneurship.”

Ashish Agarwal from Turbo Start, DVC led the Startup Cube Panel on “GTM Pitfalls Faced by Growing Startups.”  Post Lunch, a Financial Panel Discussion explored “Alternative Investments for Diversified Business Portfolios and Funding Solutions for Diversified Growth.” The Breakout Session in the Afternoon was about: “Mastering the Art of Effective Recruiting in the Staffing Industry” by Barbara Bruno.

“State, County, City, High-Ed & Federal Government Contracting: Opportunities & Challenges” was yet another important topic at the Breakout Session in the afternoon and was led by Nazeera Dawood, CEO of Vendorship.net. The M & A Panel Discussion deliberated on, “Driving Growth and Value Through Strategic M&A: Opportunities and Challenges: Accelerating Business Expansion.” Another interesting Breakout Session on the first day was about, “Increase Cash Flow $$$ and Collect Bad Debt,” led by Douglas Fuchs at Goldman, Evans & Trammell LLC.

Kevin O’Leary, a Venture Capitalist, Star of ABC’s Shark Tank delivered the Evening keynote address on: “The Path to Profit: Strategies for Building a Successful Business.” Through specific portrayals from his popular Shark Tank, his insightful address to the loud applauses from the crowd referred to successful business strategies to enhance business profits.

During the evening Gala Grand Sponsors: Four Oaks Insurance and TrackEx as well as the Platinum Sponsors of Synergy 2023: AG Fintax, BBI Law Group, Ceipa; Corp, Imagility, Oorwin, Q 1  Technologies, Somireddy Law, T I A Tech Insurance Agency, and Vitel Global were honored for their generous support to ITSereve Alliance.

With cultural events, music and dance, sumptuous food in addition to all the learning and sharing of knowledge, Synergy 2023 has been curated to provide actionable insights and strategies that companies can directly implement, serving as a catalyst for taking your business to the next level. Beyond being an arena for networking and knowledge sharing, Synergy 2023 has proved to be a veritable marketplace for ideas and innovations.

Founded in 2010, ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Services organizations functioning across the United States. Established to be the voice of all prestigious Information Technology companies functioning with similar interests across the United States, ITServe Alliance has evolved as a resourceful and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success. ITServe Alliance now has 21 Chapters in several states across the United States, bringing the Synergy Conference to every part of this innovation country. For more information, please visit: www.itserve.org

180 Key Democrat and Republican Lawmakers Participate In ITServe Capitol Hill Day

Ajay GhoshCommunity, Immigration, Technology 0
“The first ever in-person Capitol Hill Day organized by ITServe Alliance in Washington, DC on July 19th, 2023, was highly successful,” said Siva Moopanar, Director of ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC). “We had overwhelming support from the nearly 180 key US Representatives and Senators, including influential committee chairs and members from both the Democrat and Republican Parties for the causes put forth by ITServe.”

The day-long event on Capitol Hill organized by the ITServe Alliance Policy Advocacy Committee (PAC) was attended by over 240 ITServe members from across the nation. A Congressional Reception was held on July 18th and the Capitol Hill Day event on July 19th featured Capitol Hill meetings and interactive sessions with key Members of Congress.

Stressing the importance of ITServe and the Legislative Day, Vinay Mahajan, President of ITServe said, “ITServe Alliance’s Capitol Hill Day has effectively served as a powerful platform in educating policymakers on the issues that are important to our members and the business community, ensuring that our needs and views are reflected in policy debates and outcomes on Capitol Hill.”

“The U.S. needs to maintain its leadership in technology and innovation,” Vinay Mahajan, ITServe Alliance President said. “The startup Eco System needs to be supercharged. One critical component of both is high-skilled workers. The U.S. has a large skills gap – availability of workers vs the openings for talent in IT. We need the brightest minds from all over the world to keep our wide lead in technology and innovation.”

ITServe Alliance expressed its overwhelming support and urged the lawmakers, among other initiatives, to support H.R. 4647, the “High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment (HIRE) Act,” introduced by US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois on July 14th, 2023. The Bill would strengthen U.S. competitiveness by helping to close the skills gap – the space between the skills required for jobs that employers need to fill, and the skills possessed by current prospective employees. As introduced, the bill would raise the current H-1B limit from 65,000 to 130,000, remove the H-1B cap for those with a Master’s Degree or PhD and create a STEM grant program.

“ITServe Alliance has been consistently working to protect the needs of its members,” said Sateesh R. Nagilla, Connected PAC Board Chair. “To that end, ITServe Alliance has been lobbying with the Lawmakers on behalf of its members on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration.  Capitol Day was the perfect way for ITServe Alliance to use its collective voice to communicate with policymakers on the issues that are important to our members.”

“H-1B visa holders play a crucial role in bolstering the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, and enriching the fabric of American society through their skills, contributions, and diverse backgrounds,” said Sarit Kommineni, Co-Chair – PAC. “They bring diverse perspectives and knowledge to American workplaces, facilitating knowledge transfer and skills development by engaging in research and development activities, particularly in STEM fields, which contributes to scientific advancements and technological progress.”

“ITServe Alliance is consistently working to protect its members’ needs. To that end, ITServe Alliance, through its PAC teams advocates on Capitol Hill and with the US Administration.  The Capitol Hill Day served as a perfect platform to communicate our collective voice with key policymakers on important issues to our members,” added Hima Kolanagireddy, Co-Chair PAC.

According to Jagadeesh Mosali, President-Elect of ITServe, “A major objective of the Capitol Hill Day was to showcase to the lawmakers some of the significant contributions of the ITServe members to the country’s economy through Technology & Innovation, local employment, and STEM education. The event also addressed key concerns faced by small businesses, including the need for high-skilled immigration reforms.”

Vinod Babu Uppu, ITServe Governing Board Chair said, “I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the hundreds of ITServe members who were part of this important event. Advocating for ITServe and making our voices heard in the corridors of power. Through our collective voice and through their continued active participation and collaboration, we will be able to accomplish our goals through grassroots and advocacy.”

Founded in 2010, ITServe’s vision has been to empower local communities by creating, retaining, and fostering employment opportunities within the United States. ITServe has an active membership of 2,100 + members, 20 Chapters established across 23 states, who are small & medium-sized companies that fulfill the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in America. Together, the ITServe members have 175,000+ IT professionals employed throughout the U.S and generate over $12 billion in revenue annually.

ITServe and its member community are committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to local communities nationwide, particularly in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.  For information on ITServe and its many noble initiatives, please visit: www.itserve.org

ITServe Gears Up for its Annual Synergy Conference to be held in Chicago, IL

Asian Media USABusiness, Science & Technology 0

Over 1500 CXOs from 1200+ companies will come together at America’s biggest IT conference

Chicago IL: ITServe Alliance is gearing up for the 5th edition of its annual flagship conference – Synergy 2019. In a precursor to the conference, the alliance hosted a pre-conference event on September 18th, 2019 at the Clubhouse – Schaumburg, IL. The two-day, high-octane Synergy conference will be held on October 17th and 18th at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL.

The pre-conference event saw over 150 members along with the National Leadership Team participate in the planning and discussions as a run up to the much-awaited annual conference that is touted to be North America’s biggest IT conference.

ITServe’s Synergy Conference is an information-rich event which provides business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives with strategies, solutions and insights that address the unique needs of the IT Solutions & Services industry.

This year, Synergy 2019 will unlock a bundle of knowledge with valuable sessions from successful business leaders and eminent speakers; promote entrepreneurship with its Start-up Cube, an innovation capsule where multiple entrepreneurs with ideas and products will pitch their offerings to a panel of business leaders and investors; and provide a unique platform to businesses to showcase their offerings at the Synergy Solutions Partner Hub at the conference.

The conference will also host many lawmakers and government officials as part of its high-value panels. This will include a CTO/CIO panel where leading technologists will discuss and debate the latest technological revolutions and how they impact our lives and businesses.  An Immigration Panel will throw light on the ongoing changes in the immigration landscape and how business can work around these changes.

As with every year, Synergy 2019 will see some exciting knowledge sessions and keynote addresses by renowned speakers on topics ranging across the spectrum of business and life skills. 15-year-old Canadian author, AI Expert, TED & Keynote speaker and Honorary IBM Cloud Advisor, Tanmay Bakshi and Business Development expert Karl Graf are few names to look forward to among many other eminent speakers. Those who want to participate in this conference can register at: www.ITServeSynergy.org

ITServe Alliance is the largest association of Information Technology Solutions & Services organizations in the US, representing over 1,200 member companies. The Alliance is the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States. Through the years, ITServe has evolved as a capable and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring collective success of its member companies. Since its inception in 2010, ITServe Alliance has served to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and value of its members across the nation through its 16 country-wide Regional Chapters.

ITServe’s mission is to serve as the voice of the industry, educate its members on best practices, and protect the US economy by providing US businesses with cost-effective alternatives to outsourcing and off-shoring. In the recent past, ITServe Alliance has been vocal on and filed various lawsuits against the arbitrary and unfair immigration policies of USCIS for H-1B Visa, students on OPT as well as protecting the rights of H4-EAD.

Mr. Vinod Babu Uppu is the current National President of ITServe Alliance. Other notable office bearers include: Vinoz Chanamolu (Secretary), Shashidhar Devireddy (Synergy Chair) and Ajay Sunkara (Synergy Director).

For further information, contact Deepali Khadakban at PRMedia@itserve.org

For latest updates on the happenings at Synergy 2019, follow our social media channels.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITServeAlliance/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ITServeAlliance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ITServeorg

US IT organization sues USCIS for violating H-1B visa policies

Staff ReporterTravel 0

ITServe Alliance, a non-profit trade association of over a thousand companies in the IT service sector has sued the United States Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) for granting H-1B applicants with visas valid for less than three years.

The lawsuit petition filed by ITServe Alliance claims that there were cases in which the USCIS issued H-1B visas valid for periods shorter than three years. According to the US immigration policies, H-1B visas are granted to applicants for 3-year periods, unless required less by the sponsoring employer.

ITServe Alliance points out in its indictment that USCIS does not hold the authority to act against the US laws by shortening the duration of visas issued.

The Dallas, Texas-based ITServe Alliance, comprised primarily of Indian Americans, noted in its lawsuit that prior to the advent of the Trump administration, USCIS could process H-1B applications – selected via a lottery each year and capped at 85,000 – within six to eight months.

However, the organization stated that in the last 18 months, USCIS is taking eight months or longer, with a greatly-increased number of Requests For Evidence which lengthen the already-lengthy process. “The processing was so slow that many employees lost the work authorization status and had to stop working,” noted ITServe Alliance.

In the case of H-1B extensions, USCIS approved some for very short periods – as low as one day – so that employers had to reapply and file new fees of several thousand dollars, claimed ITServe Alliance. Extensions previously were standardly approved for up to three years.

In many cases, approval notices have been sent after the H-1B work permit has expired and the worker has returned back to the home country, claimed the plaintiffs.

“Like every employer in the IT industry, ITServe members have difficulty hiring enough U.S. workers to meet the demand. Our members seek H-1B visas to fill the gap between the supply and demand for IT professionals in these specialized fields,” ITServe Alliance president Gopi Kandukuri said in a court filing.

These changes seem vindictive to ITServe members who have hired H-1B visa-holders, he said. The cumbersome process has made employers less willing to hire H-1B workers since it is unclear when they can begin work and how long their extension will last.

“Much of our workforce is constantly under a pending request for (an) extension and could at any moment be forced to leave this country after performing the same job for years,” said Kandukuri.

“The delays, and expenses created by Defendant’s policies are compounded by the fact that it has recently changed how it adjudicates and determines what is a ‘specialty occupation’,” stated ITServe Alliance. The Trump administration last year knocked out several types of work in its list of specialty occupations.

In July, ITServe had filed another lawsuit against USCIS against the Trump administration’s decision to restrict foreign workers to operate only from their employer’s premises and not on third-party sites.

Xoomatic Staffing Tool- Product Launched By ITConnectUS

Asian Media USABusiness 0

ITConnectUS & Law Offices of Mary Kennedy held the ITServe Chicago monthly event at Hoffman Estates, IL. With over 200 prestigious businesses as attendees, the formal event was marked with cocktail and networking before presentations from the sponsors followed by dinner. The American IT consulting company, ITConnectUS releases their first of its kind web application, Xoomatic, an empowered staffing tool designed for customizable recruitment needs.

Xoomatic is an automated workflow management system for vendors, clients, recruiters and managers to handle the entire hiring process all in one easy to use platform. Xoomatic runs on your secured domain to build applicant databases for your organization, so you don’t have to.

Unlike traditional recruitment solutions portals, Xoomatic offers real time status updates for clients and applicants to find out the status of their application. It is designed to be concise and provide a simplistic interface behind a robust automated tool. With 24/7 technical support, Here at Xoomatic we will help automate your entire workflow.

Within Xoomatic’ s user experience we offer a Staffing Solution and Pre-screening Service All in one. Our Xoomatic’ s Prescreening services offer any organization the unique opportunity to received only verified, genuine candidate profiles, eliminating falsified and spam profiles.  These candidates can then be tracked and managed through the Pre-screening Module within the Xoomatic portal. The overall result is speed and accountability, increasing the probability by simplifying your pre-screening step of any organizations hiring process.

12 individual modules makeup the Xoomatic sphere, with their own specializations for account management, recruiting, pre-screening, vendor management, team leader, client, legal & finance, consultant and vendor submission module. A super admin module includes the ability to manage all other modules with admin level control, which is ideal for any size organization.

Xoomatic offers packages for every company size and offers the ability to customize your package to fit your exact company need.

ITConnectUS was established in 2016 with offices in Chicago (United States), Mohali and Bangalore (India) and Singapore. ITConnectUS’s latest tool Xoomatic is offered for a 14 days trial purposes absolutely free. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more explanation or a detailed demonstration. Visit us at www.xoomatic.com

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