Indian-American named Kennedy Centre trustee

President Barack Obama plans to appoint Ranvir Trehan, an alumnus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India, as general trustee on Board of the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in the American capital.

"These fine public servants bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their important roles. I look forward to working with them," he said in announcing Trehan's appointment along with five other individuals.

Dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Centre is the busiest performing arts facility in the US and annually hosts about 2,000 music, dance and theatre performances for audiences totalling nearly two million.

It the also supports artists in the creation of new work and serves as a leader in arts education.

Trehan, who came to the US in 1964 after receiving a BS from BITS, is chairman of the Trehan Foundation, a philanthropic organisation he founded for giving primarily for international development in 2003. It's focused on global poverty, as well as a performing arts centre and human services.

Previously, Trehan was Vice Chairman of Apptis Holdings, Inc. from 2005 to 2011 and was Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SETA Corporation from 1987 to 2005, according to the White House.

Trehan was a department head of Information and Communications Systems from 1985 to 1987 and a member of the technical staff from 1969 to 1985 at The MITRE Corporation.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of CARE and a former member of the board of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. He holds an MSE from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the University of Dayton.

At over 30, Obama administration has more Indian-Americans working in top jobs than any other previous US government.

Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)