Five Indian Americans get key posts in California, Minnesota

Poonum Rashmikant Patel gets key job in California; Pamela Chawla, Shwetha Vijayakumar, Ajeet Yadav, Dasharatha Yata named to commissions in Minnesota

Five Indian Americans have been named to key jobs in California and Minnesota with Poonum Rashmikant Patel promoted as Deputy Director of Business Development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development in California.

Patel has been Assistant Deputy Director of Business Investment Services in Governor Gavin Newsom’s office since 2020 and has served in several positions since 2013, including Senior Business Development Specialist, Senior Permit Assistant, Permit Assistant Specialist and Senior Project Specialist.

Patel, a Democrat, served as Special Assistant to Appointments in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2013. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.

Patel’s new position does not require Senate confirmation. Her compensation is $133,608.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reappointed Indian American physician Pamela Chawla from Minneapolis to the Board of Medical Practice effective June 19. Her term expires on Jan 3.

The Board of Medical Practice licenses and registers physicians, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, genetic counselors, naturopathic doctors, and traditional midwives and enforces the relevant practice acts.

Walz also appointed Shwetha Vijayakumar from Eden Prairie and Ajeet Yadav from Woodbury to the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. While Vijayakumar, has been named Asian Indian Ancestry Group Representative in place of Saraswati Singh, Yadav has been named At-large Member.

The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans advises the Governor and the Legislature on issues pertaining to Minnesotans of Asian Pacific ancestry and advocates on behalf of this community on legislative and administrative matters within state government.

Dasharatha Yata of Plymouth was named to the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity as a member for a three-year term expiring April 4, 2027.

The Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity will advise and collaborate with the One Minnesota Council and the Governor’s Office of Equity, Opportunity, and Accessibility to ensure the implementation of equitable practices for the State of Minnesota to address disparities, inequities, and systemic racism in Minnesota communities.