Ganpat Patel

2023-04-02T18:54:36Z

2409:40C1:100D:AE3B:1C5F:29FF:FEB2:6DE9:

{{short description|American businessman (born 1945)}}

{{Multiple issues|
{{COI|date=January 2021}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=January 2021}}
{{Orphan|date=January 2021}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Ganpat I. Patel
| image = GanpatIPatelPort.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1945|01|12}}<ref name="DOB">{{cite news |url=https://www.ganpatuniversity.ac.in/content/president-message |title=Ganpat I. Patel President of Ganpat University |work=Ganpat University Website |accessdate=28 March 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Bhunav]], [[Siddhpur, North Gujarat]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = [[California Polytechnic State University, Pomona]] ([[Bachelor of Engineering|B.S.]])
| occupation = President and Patron in Chief, [[Ganpat University]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Ganpat I. Patel Presides over as President and Patron in Chief of Ganpat University|url=http://www.indiajournal.com/metro/harry-sidhu-padma-shri-awardee-ganpat-patel-felicitated |accessdate=20 March 2020 |publisher=India Journal |date=21 February 2019}}</ref><br>
| spouse = Majnu Patel
| children = 3
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2019)<br>[[Distinguished Alumni of CalPoly Pomona]] (2018)
}}

'''Ganpat Iswarbhai Patel''' (born 12 January 1945) also known as '''''Pat Patel''''' is an [[Indian Americans|Indian - American]] businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of [[Cherokee International]], and was president and CEO before retiring in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cherokee International Announces Resignation of Pat Patel|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040715005297/en/Cherokee-International-Announces-Resignation-Pat-Patel|publisher=Businesswire|accessdate=15 July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1090069/000091205702040638/a2092197zt-3a.htm |title=SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |work=SEC GOV |date=28 October 2002 |accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.powerelectronics.com/news/article/21854659/cherokee-international-announces-resignation|title=Cherokee International Announces Resignation of Pat Patel |work=Powerelectronics |date=20 July 2004 |accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref>

Patel is the President and Patron-in-Chief<ref>{{cite news |title=Ganpat I. Patel Presides over as President and Patron in Chief of Ganpat University|url=http://www.indiajournal.com/metro/harry-sidhu-padma-shri-awardee-ganpat-patel-felicitated |accessdate=20 March 2020 |publisher=India Journal |date=21 February 2019}}</ref> of [[Ganpat University]] located in the [[Mehsana]] district of [[North Gujarat]].

Patel was honored with the [[Padma Shri]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/six-from-gujarat-among-padma-shri-recipients/articleshow/67695468.cms |title=Padma Shri|work=Times of India |date=26 Jan 2019 |accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2019/01/25/am-naik-jyoti-bhatt-ganpat-patel-joravarsinh-jadav-abdul-khatri-among-gujaratis-to-get-padma-award-this-year|title=Padma Shri|work=Desh Gujarat |date=2 Jan 2019 |accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref> award.

==Early life and education==
Ganpat Patel is the son of Iswarbhai Patel and Menaben Patel. He was born in the village of [[Bhunav]], [[Siddhpur, North Gujarat]] on 12 January 1945.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.maneeshmedia.com/ganpatbhai-patel | location=USA | work=Manish Media | title=Jwelves of India | date=26 December 2017}}</ref> He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from [[California State Polytechnic University, Pomona|California State Polytechnic University]], in [[Pomona, California|Pomona]] in 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpp.edu/philanthropy/governance/pat-patel.shtml|title=Member, Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation}}</ref>

==Career==
Patel got his first job in an aviation industry company [[Lockheed Martin]] but he lost this job soon due to recession in aviation sector<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpp.edu/~engineering/giving/HallOfFameP10.pdf |title=Patel work for Lockyeed Martin |publisher=CalPoly Pomona |date= |accessdate=12 March 2015}}</ref> He was lucky to get the immediate job offer from [[Abbott Laboratories]] in [[Culver City]] of [[Los Angeles]] in 1971. There after he also got an opportunity in [[Burroughs Corporation|Burroughs Computer]] and he acquired many useful skills which gave a great push to the tenets of entrepreneurship in him. In 1978, Shri Patel, with the help of his wife, founded [[Cherokee International, Inc.]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cpp.edu/~engineering/giving/HallOfFameP10.pdf |title=Patel founded Cherokee International in 1978 |publisher=CalPoly Pomona |date= |accessdate=12 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.powerelectronics.com/news/article/21854659/Cherokee-international-announces-resignation |title=Patel founded Cherokkee International in 1978 |publisher=CalPoly Pomona |date= 20 July 2004|accessdate=12 March 2015}}</ref> a power supply company. Cherokee secured relationships with businesses like [[IBM]], [[CISCO]], [[Motorola]], and [[Hewlett Packard]] and opened manufacturing facilities in the United States, India, Belgium, and Mexico. Patel retired from his professional career in 2004.

==Personal life==
His wife, Manju Patel, is a social worker and philanthropic. She runs a sainik school for girls on her name '''Smt M.G. Patel Sainik School for Girls''' in North Gujarat, India and making sure that 400+ girls get their schooling education every year through this military school. She does philanthropic work with the help of her husband Ganpat Patel and her family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/mgpssg/ |title= Smt M.G. Patel Sainik School for Girls |author=Facebook |publisher=[[Facebook]] |date=23 December 1999 |accessdate=29 March 2020}}</ref>

Supported by his wife Smt Manjuben and motivated by his three daughters, Rita, Anita and Asha as well as his seven grandchildren, Patel has started a “सेवा यज्ञ” social upliftment through education and established various institutions in India which can impart quality learning to Indian students.

==Awards and honors==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Name !! Awarding organization !! Ref.
|-
| 1991
|Excellence Award|Excellence Award for Excellence in Community Service
|India Association, Gandhi Peace Centre<ref>[[Gandhi Peace Foundation|Ganpat Patel Presented Excellence Award for Excellence in Community Service in USA]] ''Gandhi Peace Centre''.1991</ref>
|<ref>[https://www.ganpatuniversity.ac.in/content/president-message Ganpat Patel Presented Excellence Award for Excellence in Community Service in USA] ''Gandhi Peace Centre''.1991</ref>
|-
| 1996
|Outstanding Achievement Award|Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his service to the Indian Community
|Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society<ref>{{cite news|url=http://scgcs.org// |title= Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society |author=SCGCS |publisher=[[SCGCS]] |date=23 March 2020 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[http://scgcs.org/ Ganpat Patel Presented Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his service to the Indian Community''.1996]</ref>
|-
| 1998
|Patidar Ratna Award|Patidar Ratna Award in For remarkable contribution in building educational institutions in Gujarat for providing better education opportunity to youth of India
|Akhil Gujarat Kadva Patidar Parishad, [[Vandhay]], [[Bhuj]]
|<ref>[https://www.bhomyo.com/business-details/Bhuj/qGdwXrEicW/shree-akhil-bhartiya-kutch-kadva-patidar-samajwadi-camp-area-bhuj Ganpat Patel Presented Patidar Ratna Award in For remarkable contribution in building educational institutions in Gujarat for providing better education opportunity to youth of India''.1998]</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2000
|Patron Member|Patron Member Award Outstanding and unparalleled contribution in the educational environment of Gujarat and India by founding unique Hi-Tech township GANPAT VIDYANAGAR in Gujarat
|Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society, [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://scgcs.org// |title= Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society |author=SCGCS |publisher=[[SCGCS]] |date=23 March 2020 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[http://scgcs.org/ Ganpat Patel Patron Member Award Outstanding and unparalleled contribution in the educational environment of Gujarat and India by founding unique Hi-Tech township GANPAT VIDYANAGAR in Gujarat, 2000]</ref>
|-
|IEEE Award for outstanding contribution in power supply sector
|IEEE Award<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mga.ieee.org/resources-operations/geographic-unit/products/officer-recognition-certificates/20-awards |title= IEEE Award |author=IEEE |publisher=[[IEEE]] |date=1 March 2000 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[https://mga.ieee.org/resources-operations/geographic-unit/products/officer-recognition-certificates/20-awards Ganpat Patel presented IEEE Award for outstanding contribution in power supply sector, 2000]</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2001
|iiNet Power Award for exceptional contributions to the promotion of the electric power engineering profession
|IEEE PES, USA<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.iinet.net.au/hardware/networking/power-line-converter/ |title= IEEE PES, USA |author=iiNet |publisher=[[IEEE]] |date=10 May 2001 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[https://www.iinet.net.au/hardware/networking/power-line-converter Ganpat Patel presented iiNet Award for exceptional contributions to the promotion of the electric power engineering profession , 2004]</ref>
|-
|Award of Appreciation |Award of Appreciation for appreciation of generous support and outstanding service to our society in the US and India
|Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society, [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://scgcs.org// |title= Southern California Gujarat Cultural Society |author=SCGCS |publisher=[[SCGCS]] |date=23 March 2020 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[http://scgcs.org/ Ganpat Patel presented award of appreciation for appreciation of generous support and outstanding service to our society in the USA and India , 2001]</ref>
|-
|IICPE AWARD |IICPE AWARD
|India International Conference on Power Electronics MUMBAI 2002<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281287935|title=India International Conference on Power Electronics |author=ResearchGate |publisher=[[IEEE]] |date=12 December 2015 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[http://scgcs.org/ Ganpat Patel presented IICPE AWARD for contribution to the global technology development in the field of power electronics, 2001]</ref>
|-
| 2005
|Patron in Chief |Patron in Chief
|[[Ganpat University]]<ref>{{cite news|url=
https://www.ganpatuniversity.ac.in/sites/default/files/arfile/Ganpat%20University%20Act%28Act%20No.%2019%20of%202005%29.pdf|title=Ganpact University Act (Act no. 19 of 2005) |author=Ganpat University |publisher=[[Ganpat University]] |date=12 April 2005 |access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
|<ref>[http://scgcs.org/ Ganpat Patel appointed as Patron in Chief of Ganpat Uviversity for his remarkable contribution in the Education Initiative, 2005]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2005
|Patidar Pamdashi |Patidar Padmashri
|5th National Convention of Kadva Patidar Samaj, Macon, Georgia, USA
|<ref>[https://www.indiapost.com/kadva-patidar-samaj-celebrates-8th-convention/ Ganpat Patel honored with Patidar Padmashri for generous donation and support to the community here and abroad, 2005]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2008
|Patidar Shiromani Award |Patidar Shiromani Award
|World Patidar Federation
|<ref>[https://www.oneindia.com/2006/12/27/patidar-shiromani-award-conferred-upon-bihar-cm-1167226711.html Ganpat Patel honored with Patidar Shiromani AwardFor long service rendered for strengthening patidar samaj & mankind, 2008]</ref>
|-
| 2012
|Jewel of Gujarat |Jewel of Gujarat
|Jewel of Gujarat, India
|<ref>[https://www.maneeshmedia.com/jewels_series/jewels-of-gujarat-leading-global-gujarati-personalities-vol-i/ Ganpat Patel honored with Jewel of Gujarat for his Contribution to society and country, 2012]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2014
|Jewel of India |Jewel of India
|Jewel of India, India
|<ref>[https://www.maneeshmedia.com/ganpatbhai-patel/ Ganpat Patel honored with Jewel of India for his Contribution to society and country, 2012]</ref>
|-

|-
| 2014
|Salute NRI India Award | Salute NRI India Award
|Global Gujarati Federation, Ahmedabad
|<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/171246309728858/photos/a.192712540915568/217331718453650/?type=3&theater Ganpat Patel honored with Salute India NRI Award for his for Remarkable contribution in education and society, 2014]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
|Hall of Fame | Hall of Fame
|[[California Polytechnic State University, Pomona]]
|<ref>[https://www.cpp.edu/philanthropy/governance/pat-patel.shtml Ganpat Patel honored with Hall of Fame for his for Education and Charitable Work, 2015]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
|Certificate of Recognition|Certificate of Recognition
|[[Mayor of California]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with Certificate of Recognition for his for Education and Charitable Work, 2015]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
|Certificate of Recognition|Certificate of Recognition
|[[California State Legislature]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with certificate of recognition for dedication and service by distinguishing yourself in our community through leadership and professional achievements and inspiring future generation engineers, 2015]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
|Certificate of Recognition|Certificate of Recognition
|[[U.S. House of Representatives]]
|<ref>[http://www.indianamericanheritagefndn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/7-Philanthropy-In-Indian-American-Community.pdf Ganpat Patel honored with certificate of recognition for induction to the college of engineering Hall of Fame and inspiring future students, 2015]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
|Founder's Society Award|Founder's Society Award
|[[California Polytechnic State University, Pomona]]
|<ref>[http://www.indianamericanheritagefndn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/7-Philanthropy-In-Indian-American-Community.pdf Ganpat Patel honored with founder's society award for For remarkable contribution in education and society , 2015]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016
|Certificate of Recognition|Certificate of Recognition
|[[Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with certificate of recognition For generous contribution to establish Ganpat and Manju Patel Student Project Laboratories at College of Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 2016]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2016
|Award of Appreciation|Award of Appreciation
|Indo American Gujarat Cultural Association
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with award of appreciation For gracing the event held on Long Beach, CA (USA) of Gujarat Mahotsav, 2016]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
|Los Angeles Ratna|Los Angeles Ratna
|Los Angeles Ratna Board
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with los angeles ratna For his prolific philanthropic, humanitarian, social and cultural rendering in the southern California vicinity, 2017]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
|Certificate of Appreciation|Certificate of Appreciation
|Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with certificate of appreciation for In sincere appreciation to the activity of GCCI Skill Development & Training Centre by conducting training of Young Entrepreneurs, 2017]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
|Certificate of Appreciation|Certificate of Appreciation
|Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with certificate of appreciation for In sincere appreciation to the activity of GCCI Skill Development & Training Centre by conducting training of Young Entrepreneurs, 2017]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018
|President |President
|Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored with President as Nominated & Appointed by Board of Governance for his contribution in education to lead the Ganpat University and Its Vision, 2018]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018
|Distinguished Alumnus Award |Distinguished Alumnus Award
|[[California Polytechnic State University, Pomona]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded for his eminent contribution in professional field and contribution in Education, Only India to receive this honor, 2018]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018
|PATIDAR UDYOG RATNA AWARD |PATIDAR UDYOG RATNA AWARD
|GLOBAL PATIDAR BUSINESS SUMMIT
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded with Patidar Udyog Ratna Award for his professional contribution , 2018]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2018
|Life Time Achievement Award |Life Time Achievement Award
|American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded for his professional contribution and Philanthropic Contribution, 2018]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|Padma Shri |[[Padma Shri]]
|[[Government of India]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded with Padma Shri for his extraordinary contribution in the field of education across the world, 2019]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|Patidar Padma Shri Sanman Award |Patidar Padma Shri Sanman Award
|Sardardham
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded with Patidar Padma Shri Sanman Award Awarded for his extraordinary contribution in the field of education across the world, 2019]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|Distinguished Alumni Award |Distinguished Alumni Award
|[[M G Science Institute – Ahmedabad]]
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and awarded Distinguished Alumni Award for his extraordinary contribution in the field of education across the world, 2019]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|Padma Shri Honor Award |Padma Shri Honor Award
|Chief Justice of Gujarat – Gujarat
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and Awarded for his extraordinary contribution in the field of education across the world, 2019]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|Padma Shri Honor Award |Padma Shri Honor Award
|Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Los Angeles, USA
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel honored and Awarded for his extraordinary contribution in the field of education across the world, 2019]</ref>
|-
|-
| 2019
|President - Life Global California Chapter |President - Life Global California Chapter
|President - Life Global California Chapter, Los Angeles, USA
|<ref>[Ganpat Patel Has been honoured as President by Life Global California - Los Angeles, USA, 2019]</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.ganpatuniversity.ac.in/content/president-message Profile] at [[Ganpat University]]

{{Padma Shri Awards}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Patel, Ganpat}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Indian billionaires]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:California State Polytechnic University, Pomona]]
[[Category:Electric power]]
[[Category:University and college founders]]
[[Category:Indian electrical engineers]]
[[Category:Indian philanthropists]]

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Ganpat Patel