A Winning Personality Fortified With Humility  

Niranjan Shah at the University of Illinois Commencement with Governor Quinn

When Niranjan S. Shah, CEO of the Chicago-based Globetrotters Engineering Corporation, was growing up in a small village in India, it would have never crossed his mind that some day he would have the friendship and association of the mighty and powerful political and financialpeople in the U.S. But by the sheer dint of his  endeavors, Shah, rose to prominence and epitomized the Indian American community, making a name for himself and thereby providing a distinct image to the then fledgling NRI community. 

Niranjan Shah earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya at Sardar Patel University in Gujarat State in 1967 and moved to the United States in 1970 to further his education and seek new opportunities. Further he earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Mississippi in 1971 followed by the Executive Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

With a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Civil Engineering under his belt, it was but natural for Shah to seek a career in Engineering. But advancement opportunities for people of Indian origin in the early 70s were at a minimal. However, he was undeterred and founded the Globetrotters Engineering Corporation in 1974, an architectural, engineering and facilities management firm

Under his chairmanship, Globerotters now has more than 300 professionals in its employ and has become one of the preeminent engineering, architectural, and facility management firms in the US. Not only that, Globetrotters is also acknowledged internationally for the quality of its work in engineering and architecture, winning numerous prestigious awards and accolades in it’s over 30 years of existence.

The corporation, also recognized as a key contributor to the revitalization and growth of Chicago, was one of the lead consultants for the city’s “Deep Tunnel Project,” for which it received the “Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award in 1986,” a national award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.   Furthermore, Globetrotters has provided development consulting services in the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Belize, Costa Rica, and other countries in Central America in the late eighties.

Thus, this simple act of survival of a freshly transplanted young man from India created an opportunity where there was none and is but a small example of his courage and vision that helped bring people of Indian origin into the US mainstream in the 70s. Subsequently, his success inspired him to take an active involvement in the community here and also help in the education and advancement of his people back home. 

Niranjan Shah’s support to educational institutions and medical clinics in India is widely acknowledged. And so was his tireless work to provide relief to the victims of the devastating 2001 earthquake in Gujarat in tandem with the northwestern Indian State’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi. And in the US, Niranjan Shah made a significant donation to McHenry County College in Crystal Lake to enable it to set up a new state-of-the art business facility for corporate training and small business development. The mission of the Shah Center is to “enhance the economic well-being of the people of McHenry County College district by providing leadership and collaboration in support of business, community and workforce development,” says Shah. The center is also available for meetings, training or conferences. It offers wireless internet access, interactive teleconferencing, DVD/ VCR’s, wireless audio-visual and even catering.

Niranjan Shah's contributions to Indian and the Indian community are unique due to the wide spectrum of his involvement -from providing support to small villages to promoting better U.S. foreign policy towards India. Through his community service, Shah developed personal relationships with public officials and worked with people at the highest level of the U.S. government, including the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the U.S Congress; the President and the Vice President of the United States. He developed and maintained a close rapport with  the powerful US personalities like President Reagan, President Bush, and President Clinton. Interestingly, Shah and his family were among the first Indian Americans to be overnight guests at the White House during Bill Clinton’s Presidency.

Being an astute businessman, Shah used these tremendous opportunities to discuss important issues related to India at the highest levels of the US government. Whether it was ensuring that there was a high school and medical clinic in his village, or, augmenting relations between the Indian and U.S. governments, or, facilitating a Sister Cities arrangement between the City of Chicago and New Delhi, Shah became a natural leader in making things happen.

Shah’s contributions have not gone unnoticed and have been lauded by many US leaders. “During my administration, Mr. Shah was often a source of counsel on Indo-U.S. relations. He has been a powerful force in gaining support in Congress for Indians and Indian- Americans,” compliments former President Clinton, who had invited Shah to an economic conference with the leading national, political and business leaders during his presidency. Incidentally, Niranjan Shah was the only Indian- American to be selected to attend and the only CEO of an architectural and engineering business to participate. And Congressman Henry Hyde, Chairman of the International Relations Committee for the United States House of Representatives (1997-2004), describes the Indian community leader as one “who provides firsthand knowledge and insight regarding India-Pakistan relations.”

A quiet, soft-spoken, and humble person, Niranjan Shah rarely discusses his financial, professional, political or social successes. Neither does he like to mention the numerous awards that have been bestowed on him, which are too many to enumerate. In recognition of his contributions to the Indian Diaspora, the Government of India bestowed on Shah the prestigious 2006 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. While honoring Shah, President APJ Abdul Kalam said, “Niranjan Shah has made the country proud of his achievements and increased the prestige of India and Indians not only in America but in the entire world.”

The same year (2006), Shah was recipient  of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This award is presented to influential leaders of various fields and ethnic backgrounds who contribute greatly to American society. Past medalists include four U.S. presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports, and government. Other awards that Shah has received include the Glory of Gujarat 2005 Award by the Governor of Gujarat in recognition of his contributions to his home state.

Shah also served on many substantial committees from 1991-1997 that led to him receiving a lot of recognition for his economic, political and social involvement. In early 1991, he became a member of the Illinois Board of Regents, which was the governing board of three state universities. He was appointed by Governor Jim Edgar and later confirmed by the State of Illinois Senate. He also played an important role as a Member of the Governing Board to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools as well as Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition, he served as a member of the University of Chicago's Visiting Committee on University-School Relations and as a Delegate of the Democratic National Convention (Clinton Delegate).

And the list is endless. Shah made his name known by also serving on the National Steering Committee along with the National Finance Committee through the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. In accordance, he was a member of the Cook County Citizens Budget Review Committee, accredited by the same President. While serving for Cook County, he managed to be a part of the Economic Development Commission  of Chicago through Mayor Daley. This term lasted from 1992 - 1997, which later evolved into his nomination to the National Institute of Building Sciences by President Clinton.

His accomplishments also led to other prestigious appointments, a few of which are as follows:

• Member, Illinois State Police Merit Board by the Governor of Illinois. 2002-2009;
• Member, National Steering Committee and National Finance Committee, Clinton for President, 1992 and 1996;
• Member, Gold Water Foundation for Excellence in Technical Education. Nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by U.S. Senate. 1994 – 2002’ and,
• Member, Clinton-Gore Finance Committee. 1992 – 2000.

Shah, who was elected on January 15, 2009, as Chairman of the University of Illinois, Board of Trustees, says of his appointment, “I am deeply honored. I look forward to…providing the governance that will advance our university system as one of the very best in the nation.”

“University of Illinois trustees are smart, experienced decision makers who labor out of love for the university and a dedication to maintaining it as the state's biggest asset and as the best that American higher education has to offer. It was a privilege for me to serve as chairman of the Board for six years…,” he adds.

Active in civic and economic development organizations in Illinois and the Chicago area, Shah had also served for six years as the Illinois University’s Board's Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, where his 35 years of experience in architecture, engineering, construction and energy management were utilized on behalf of the University. He was also a member of the Board's executive committee.

Looking back on his accomplishments with pride and a quiet humility, Shah, essentially a family man, credits his success to the support “through many difficult times” to Pratima, his wife of more than 35 years, and to his two children - Smita and Ajay whom he describes as “a constant source of pride and inspiration.”  

[By S.Ullal & G.Trivedi]