IBM Executive To Direct Penn State Ebusiness Center

February 11, 2000

University Park, Pa.–IBM executive Nirmal Pal has been appointed as the executive director of Penn State’s eBusiness Research Center (eBRC).

A 37-year veteran of the international computer giant, Pal was serving as director of the IBM Global Services Consulting Group when he accepted his new post at the University. His focus was on e-business, e-commerce and other Internet-related areas. As part of the consulting group’s management team since its inception, Pal has helped its business grow in volume to $1 billion, and its staff grow to 5,000 consultants.

Founded in 1999, the eBRC is a joint venture of Penn State’s School of Information Sciences and Technology and The Smeal College of Business Administration. Its focus is on marketing and business strategy in the electronic realm. A major study already underway is documenting the best practices of major firms operating online.

Pal has extensive international experience working with IBM corporate clients to meet their strategic needs in information technology and electronic business. In addition, he managed the firm’s intellectual assets in e-business worldwide, and helped develop and deliver educational programs for IBM’s consulting community on a global basis. He is a twice-certified consultant in information and technology management with additional training in business transformation and information technology strategy.

He joined IBM operations in India in 1961 the same year he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Jadavpur University. Over the years, Pal held positions of increasing responsibility and was assigned to duties in Sri Lanka, England, Japan, Singapore, as well as the United States. He also holds a master of science degree from the Polytechnic University in New York.

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Contact:

Charles DuBois at (814) 865-4458

Kimberly Bierly at (814) 863-3798