Sam Pitroda, aged 53, has advanced degrees in physics and electrical engineering and has over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry with emphasis on technology and corporate management. He started his career at GTE in 1967 and founded Wescom Switching in 1974 which was subsequently sold to Rockwell International, where he was Vice President until 1983.

Thereafter he returned to India and became advisor to the Prime Minister of India on technology missions with the rank of a Minister of State. He was appointed the first Chairman of the Telecom Commission of India responsible for all national and international telephone operations. He is also Vice Chairman of WTAC.

Founder of several companies in the USA, Mr. Pitroda holds over 50 worldwide patents and has lectured extensively on the telecommunications industry throughout the world.