Utilizing the skills and experience gathered over years, he has successfully trodden through the waves of competition. “I have been very passionate about the Indo-US relationship all my life and have dedicated myself to it. It is the defining partnership of this century and the fields of critical and emerging technologies, including defense, space and nuclear, will shape the collective future of the planet and our two countries.”
Vivek puts himself in a marathon to gain extensive knowledge.
He is spearheading General Atomics Global Corporation as the Chief Executive. He is serving as a US Technical Team Member to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Science and Technology (STO) with the Pentagon.
A highly educated man, he earned a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Carleton University, Canada, and a master’s in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida. He is also a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, Kansas and an MBA from City University of Seattle, Washington.
A True Globetrotter, Professionally!
Vivek has served many senior positions in his career. He joined Boeing in Seattle in 1996. He has worked with Raytheon and NASA in various multidisciplinary engineering fields prior to Boeing. He also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Embry-Riddle, McConnell Air Force Base. He has also served as the Founding Co-Chair of the US-India Aviation Cooperation Program launched by the American leader, Norman Mineta, in 2005. He was appointed the Vice President and Country Head, Boeing Defense Space and Security, in May 2007.
Vivek was appointed as Chairman of the Indo-US Strategic Dialogue by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in August 2011. He was also appointed in a critical advisory role to the US Cabinet Secretary heading the Department of Transportation, encompassing entities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in 2018. He was also appointed as a Distinguished Fellow at India’s Think Tank Observer Research Foundation and the Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
He was appointed the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at the world’s largest defense corporation, Lockheed Martin.
Appointed by the US Government to the Next-Gen Advisory Committee in 2018 reporting to the Cabinet Secretary, he was also elected to the Global Board of Directors of US Japan Business Council and US India Business Council in 2020.
Atom by Atom!
Vivek was born in Jakarta to Shashi, a psychologist who had dedicated her life to her family, and Vinod Lall, a career diplomat. “They were my gurus and best friends,” he says, talking of his parents. His sister, Vandana, and he grew up around the world, in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. “Spending my childhood in different countries helped me adjust with and adapt to different perspectives. The experiences gave me a better understanding of the commonalities of humans across the world as well as the differences. Little did I realize this would be such a critical life-shaping knowledge and experience. In the meantime, I also learnt five languages.”
Taking advantage of the diversity he grew up in, he learnt to put his best foot forward, atom by atom!
Vivek’s father firmly believed in education as the medium to change the world for better. He ensured both the kids developed the habit of reading. He encouraged them for higher education and helped them develop a deep sense of understanding of hard work and perseverance. He made him solve all his math problems on his own, dropping some hints in between. “He had a vast knowledge on almost every subject and encouraged me to gain some in diverse fields of science, politics, history, literature, poetry, music, etc. Knowledge is equal to power, he believed, the more one read the better one was equipped to tackle life. It is because of him I completed my PhD as well as an MBA rather early in age. I was a graduate engineer at 19.”
His mother inspired them to think big and encouraged them when they’d fail. “I see it as an immense sacrifice and dedication that a lady as educated as her gave up her career for her family.” Neither of his parents, however, ever raised their voices at their children but coached them lovingly to improve or correct themselves. “I recall I was not very good in Arts in middle school and she spent hours on me and did not rest till the next academic year, when I would finally do better. She would effortlessly adapt to every country and culture we went to – I learnt that ability from her. She never let any stress be apparent to us two. She definitely is our role model.”
Apart from studying and reading, he was quite active on tennis courts during school and college and still manages to take out time to play a shot or two. “Aviation and aerospace is what has driven me to always perform to my best. In fact, ever since college, I have loved flying planes.”
His Core Support
Blessed with the best, he credits it to his lovely wife, Shiva, and children, Vikrant and Shreya. Shiva has been a blessing for the entire family and, like her mother-in-law, has selflessly devoted herself to the betterment of her family and community. “Her wise opinions and decisions have helped shape our lives and of many others. Both Vikrant and Shreya too have grown up in different cities. They are much wiser and accomplished than I ever was. They make me very proud.” Affectionate, intelligent and hardworking, the kids are rooted to their Indian values. He believes his family shapes him every day to become a better version.
“Younger generations, with the advanced technologies, can teach you a lot. Long after I am gone, Vikrant and Shreya will inspire generations ahead to recall the past accomplishments and climb to much greater heights than we imagine today. Their future is very bright.”
Vivek has been a recipient of several honors, including the 2008 OCA National Asian Pacific American Corporate Achievement Award. He has also received a gold medal from Cambridge (UK) for his contributions to the field of aerospace and recognized as one of the top 2000 outstanding scientists of the 20th century, and has been cited among the global who’s who several times. He is in the Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Honor Society as well as the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society.
Passionate about touching the high sky, Dr Vivek Lall has definitely reached it!