PG Narayanan moved to Eden Prairie in 1999. ADC Telecommunications needed a new CTO, and PG, who had received his master’s in electrical engineering from Northeastern University before entering the East Coast technology industry, fit the bill.
From a professional standpoint, PG’s move to Eden Prairie bore fruit. Here he would become CEO of Allot Communications, which he helped begin an IPO in 2006. The state of Minnesota next made him its assistant commissioner. Finally, he founded SmiForce, an IT analytics software company, right here in town.
“I’m very grateful to Eden Prairie for all the career opportunities it has given me over the years,” said PG. “But even more than that, I am grateful to its wonderful community. My family found a friendly, welcoming neighborhood to call home here. My two sons went to excellent schools here. And perhaps best of all, I have found many ways to repay my debt of gratitude to this great city.
“I first began volunteering while I was working for the state. I finally had weekends off, and with both of my boys off to college, I had more free time than I knew what to do with. That’s when I discovered Eden Prairie’s Human Rights and Diversity Commission, which identifies and provides solutions to issues faced by seniors, children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups in our community.
“I have lived a blessed life, so I was shocked to learn how many of my neighbors were facing pressing challenges. As commissioner of the Diversity Commission, I committed myself to doing as much good as I could with my business and executive experience.
“I was eventually introduced to the Eden Prairie Community Foundation by Mark Weber, who was its executive director until just last year. I immediately fell in love with its mission: to provide funding and other support to the 85 or so non-profit organizations that so generously serve Eden Prairie. As chair of the board from 2018 through 2020, I oversaw many of the Community Foundation’s efforts to preserve local non-profits that suffered as the result of the pandemic.
“Ron Case was also a board member at the Community Foundation back then. We were already acquainted during my time with the Diversity Commission, so he asked me if I would like to catch up over a cup of coffee. That’s when he suggested that I run for city council.
“I had never been political before that point. My only motivation in volunteering was exactly that – to volunteer. After talking it over with my family (and some convincing by Ron), I recognized that the city council’s values align perfectly with my own.
“I actually came in second place during the 2018 election. But thanks to Ron’s election as mayor, a second seat on the council also became available. I received a unanimous vote to be appointed to the city council. That made me the first Asian – and first and only Indian – in that position in Minnesota. In 2020, I won the city council election for a four-year term.
“As a council member, I have had the privilege of assisting our city with many of its important initiatives. We formed the Housing Task Force, a coalition of community leaders, real estate agents and developers dedicated to making affordable housing available in Eden Prairie. We spearheaded the Race Equity Report, and continued the push to become carbon neutral by the year 2050. I also helped expand SouthWest Transit’s services to include rides on demand (SW Prime), as well as lunch delivery to schoolchildren during the lockdown.
“I am truly lucky. I never actively sought out the positions I’ve had the honor of filling. I was just surrounded by good people who recognized my passion for giving back to the community that has been so kind to my family, and who knew which direction to point me in.”