2007-0402
Title
Tribute: Honorable 'Ram' Ramchandran, Councilman, District III
body
The Parish of St. Charles
December 17, 2007
TRIBUTE
District III, Councilman GANESIER 'RAM' RAMCHANDRAN is a resident of Destrehan for over 25 years. He is married to Susan Swami and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Ajantha.
'Ram' is completing his third term in Office after serving twice as Councilman-At-Large, Division A. He was first elected in 1995 as Councilman-At-Large, Division A and was re-elected to a second term in 1999. In 2003, he was elected as the Councilman for District III.
'Ram' graduated from Town High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics and Engineering Mathematics from Madras University. He has done Graduate work at Masters/PhD Level in Electrical Engineering at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He served in the Officers Training Corps while in college and has taught English Language courses for immigrants and auto mechanics for women.
'Ram' was selected in 1994 to the distinguished grade of Life Fellow by his peers in the International Society of Automation and Controls (ISA), the first Louisiana engineer so honored in 50 years. He was also conferred with the Distinguished Society Services Award in 1977. He received the ISA's Standards and Practices Award for his contributions in developing consensus standard SP-84 and SP-91. He was also a member of The Vibration Institute and served as local chapter President.
'Ram' is a nationally known authority in engineering circles. For years he was President of the CYCO Federal Credit Union with about 4 million in assets. He is active in several non-profit cultural, charitable, and technical organizations including the American Red Cross.
'Ram' served on the Operations, Maintenance, and Construction Management Committee, Legislative Committee, Contract/Finance and Administrative Committee, Special Committee for Waterworks Treatment Plant, and the Cable Television Franchise Review Committee.
'Ram' was appointed by the National Association of County Officials' (NACo) President as Vice-Chairman of NACo's Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee, after serving three terms as Vice-Chairman. He is a member of NACo's Rural Action Caucus, Indoor Air Quality, IT Steering Committee and the Transportation Steering Committee. He is a member of the task force on Homeland Security and Chaired the Coastal Wetlands Task Force. He is a member of the Executive Board for Pipeline Safety Trust based in Bellingham, WA. He was appointed by the US Interior Secretary as Advisor to the Policy Committee on Off Shore Continental Shelf Policy representing all the Counties in the Country and served in that capacity for the past four years.
As a citizen, 'Ram' proposed the creation of a Citizens Expert Advisory Committee to review capital projects and pump station maintenance. As an Elected Official was instrumental in creating and serving on the Special Joint Airport Committee; he is a member of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, and the National Association of County Officials. He worked with others to promote the bicycle path under TEA-21 on the Mississippi River Levee.
With several other Councilmembers, 'Ram' has been meeting with Amoco and the Department of Environmental Quality Officials to discuss additional recreation acreage for the East Bank Bridge Park and suitable use for putting the remaining acreage back in Commerce. He has also worked with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Bonnet Carre' Spillway Master Plan and is currently working with the Corps on a feasibility study for expansion of the East Bank Bridge Park across the Mississippi River Levee for development of a linear batture park and nature trails.
"PARISH OF PLENTY"
created in 1807 from the county of the
"German Coast", a parish of
unprecedented economic and social
development, known for its
hospitality, rural living and sporting
opportunities… with the added
distinction of being located
on both sides of the
Mighty Mississippi River.