195 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY COMMISSIONER State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Somerset, NJ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER National Park Service, Department of the Interior Huddleston, VA UPENDRA J. CHIVUKULA Since 2014, Upendra J. Chivukula has thrived as the commissioner for the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, in which he leverages his 25-plus years of experience in public service. Previously representing the 17th Legislative District of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2014, he is recognized as the first Indian American to be elected to the Assembly, as well as the fourth to be elected to state office in the history of the United States. As a political leader, Mr. Chivukula advocates for climate change awareness and sponsored the first solar renewable energy certificate program in the legislature. Formerly, he served Franklin Township, New Jersey, as municipal chairman and was also a Democratic party chair, councilman and mayor. Prior to delving into public office, Mr. Chivukula was a design engineer for Electronic Associates, lead engineer for Leeds & Northrup, director of Compucom Global Solutions and director of Siratech International. He holds a BS in electrical engineering from the Guindy College of Engineering in his native India and MS in electrical engineering from the City College of New York, and he completed coursework at Rutgers University. Connie Baker Mays enjoyed wildlife from a formative age and became acquainted with park rangers and maintenance employees. Having been beckoned to join the National Park Service, she first served as a park ranger from 1987 to 1990, and soon fell in love with the ability to protect natural land for future generations. As her career progressed, she served as an administrative support assistant from 1991 to 2011. Since departing from that position, she has excelled as an administrative officer and park safety officer at the Booker T. Washington National Monument through the National Park Service and Department of the Interior. Among her many career achievements, Ms. Mays is especially proud of saving the life of a pregnant woman, working closely with law enforcement to supervise her health. As a result of this tremendous feat, Ms. Mays was honored with the 1991 Exemplary Act Award as the first woman recipient of the accolade. Likewise, she has been bestowed with numerous Safety Awards, as well as the Most Sales Award in the Northeast Region through the Eastern National Park and Monument Association in 1989. Looking forward, she intends to ease into retirement. CONNIE BAKER MAYS
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