TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: PARAG DALVI’S FASCINATING ROAD FROM MUMBAI TO NEW YORK
How a NYPA senior manager’s passion for elegant tech solutions helps deliver New York State’s energy
Many complex components must unite to seamlessly bring essential power to New Yorkers safely, reliably and sustainably through the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Functional Technology and Data Analytics Senior Manager Parag Dalvi is a key part of that astounding process.
“I keep NYPA future-ready by building and implementing a roadmap to meet the system and data-management objectives of our Strategic Supply Management (SSM) department,” explains Dalvi. “To improve efficiency, I map our procurement business processes to functionalities to strengthen the overall quality and value of our technology solutions. I analyze business problems and propose innovative technology solutions through core business analysis and systems designs and processes.”
That’s only part of Dalvi’s province. He also oversees data governance and data-management standards owned or used by NYPA’s SSM unit in addition to serving as the lead designer of a variety of data analysis and organization tools. All of these multifaceted efforts are in service to better position NYPA to meet New York State’s aggressive climate goals, as well as its VISION2030 supplier diversity goal of expanding programs from $80 million to $160 million in five years.
NYPA, the largest state electric utility in the nation, powers the economic growth of businesses, nonprofits and municipalities across the state. Established in 1931 by New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt, NYPA provides some of the lowest cost energy in the U.S. from 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit miles of transmission lines. NYPA also uses no state tax dollars in those efforts. For Dalvi, though, NYPA was not a destination at first but that soon changed.
“I began at NYPA as a consultant in June 2015. I had worked with multiple utilities so I knew the energy landscape. That, combined with my technical education and my quick grasp of NYPA’s exceptional business model, made me want to join the Authority. In 2016, SSM hired me to support key technology applications in NYPA’s digitalization transformation, a foundational pillar in NYPA’s VISION2030 Strategic Plan.”
Dalvi instantly felt at home, citing how “nice and respectful NYPA people are” and how welcoming the culture is, saying he “truly felt a sense of belonging.” He credits NYPA’s 10-Point Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan in helping to create a culture, one that also provides, “clear pathways for career development and upward mobility.”
Dalvi also considers himself fortunate to have played a pivotal role in a multitude of significant initiatives at NYPA including the integration of systems with the NYPA subsidiary, the New York State Canal Corporation, the adoption of the ARIBA purchasing application, the implementation of the North East Reliability Council’s CIP-013 standard supply chain security requirements, and the systems configuration for SSM’s new category management model to bolster its supplier diversity reporting system. Given his technological expertise and interests, it would be easy to assume that he started down that path at a very early age—and that would be correct.
“I grew up watching my father fix things, anything, that was broken. I used to help him. Soon I became fascinated with technology and figuring out how things work. I also loved science, so I decided to become an engineer. Eventually, I got into engineering school in Mumbai and earned my bachelor’s degree in 2009. Engineering was intense, but it prepared me for the challenges of the professional world.”
Dalvi makes it sound easy. That wasn’t necessarily the case. But there was one key element, one that made a world of difference—education.
“Both of my parents never had access to education beyond middle school, so they knew the struggles one must go through without education. They worked very hard to provide a good education for me and my sister, so that we could get the head start they never had. They always emphasized the importance of education and hard work from a very young age. I also have to give special credit to my mother. She made me the person I am today. I would be lost without the ethics and values she instilled in me.”
Putting those ethics, values and drive to great use, Dalvi joined the tech boom in India after graduation, gaining employment with TCS, the largest IT company in India at the time. He soon learned his true passion—developing elegant, efficient, workable tech solutions. When he saw those solutions implemented and working, it drove even greater satisfaction. Rising through TCS, Dalvi soon found himself transferred to the U.S., and happily working his way toward NYPA. While navigating the cultural tectonic shift between India and the U.S., what did Dalvi think of his new home?
“I just love it here. I love the energy of New York City. I even met my wife here and we were recently blessed with a baby boy. So, the U.S., and in particular New York, holds a special place in my heart as it gave me my career and my family. In my free time I love being in nature, gardening and learning about the different cultures that make New York City wonderful. I also sincerely enjoy working each day at NYPA and am very excited to see what the future will bring.”
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