Sachin Gupta, Vice President of Business and Technology Strategies at Centranet, a subsidiary of Central Rural Electric Cooperative, has been named one of 57 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars’ (PLS) 10th annual class.
For the past decade, PLS has brought together more than 500 diverse, established leaders to collaborate and make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership growth potential and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical challenge or need in a community, profession or organization.
“I am honored and proud to have been selected for this program, which brings together a diverse set of leaders to learn from one another,” Gupta said. “America derives its strength and sense of purpose from its diversity and the variety of opinions it encompasses. The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in America.”
Gupta is the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) representative on the Federal Communications Commission’s Technological Advisory Council (FCC TAC), a board director for the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and is part of the NRECA’s Steering Advisory Group, where he advises the organization’s broadband leadership on operational and strategic priority areas. He is also a board member of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and a voting member of the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council (OBEC).
With more than 21 years of diverse experience in product management, business development and marketing for large government contractors, Gupta has worked with government officials in 32 countries, advocating for networked smart defense and security solutions. He has spoken at multiple domestic and international conferences, addressing various technical, legislative and regulatory issues, and is well-published in several national broadband publications. Additionally, he represents Oklahoma’s Cooperative Broadband Coalition, advancing its agenda at both state and federal levels.
Gupta holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Telecommunications Management from Oklahoma State University.
During the six-month program, Gupta will develop his initiative focused on workforce development for tribal members. He hopes to bring digital opportunities of the future to tribal lands, which consistently have low engagement in high tech industries.
“We are incredibly proud of Sachin for being selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar,” said Mark Prather, President of Centranet. “Sachin’s unwavering commitment to expanding broadband access and his innovative leadership have been instrumental to Centranet’s success. This prestigious program will offer him invaluable insights and connections, further strengthening his leadership capabilities and ultimately benefiting our community and beyond.”
Over the course of the program, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact.
Scholars have consistently reported remarkable growth in skills, responsibilities, and opportunities for impact since the program began in 2015. For example, 96% of Scholars said their confidence in how they lead social change has improved as a result of PLS, and 97% of Scholars reported they are inspired to accomplish more since beginning the program.
The 2025 program will begin on Jan. 29.
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About Presidential Leadership Scholars: The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars and follow @PLSprogram on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.