Bengaluru, India – Retired Lt. General Sree Kumar, formerly the sixth-highest ranking officer in the Indian Army, has joined IAPMO Plumbing Codes and Standards India Private Limited (IAPMO-India) as Director General of The IAPMO Group’s operations in India. Kumar will coordinate IAPMO-India’s work with industry partners to build and strengthen a new 21st century plumbing industry on behalf of the world’s second-largest population.
A 42-year veteran of the Indian Army, Kumar rose to national prominence through his service, concluding his military career as Signal Officer in Chief of the Indian Army, where he commanded approximately 100,000 domestic troops and oversaw strategic planning of operations, communications, information technology and cyber security aspects of the Indian Army. In addition to his distinguished military career, Kumar holds master’s degrees in philosophy, business administration and science from three unique universities, as well as a bachelor of technology in communications.
“With great honor and pleasure I am thrilled to join the IAPMO-India team and bring my unique world experiences to this important work for India,” Kumar said. “I look forward to joining an already excellent staff as I embark on an interesting, challenging and rewarding new career with an outstanding organization.”
As Director General of IAPMO-India, Kumar will manage Director of Plumbing Subhash Deshpande, Director of Mechanical Abdul Matheen and additional staff at IAPMO-India’s offices in Bengaluru and Pune. Incorporated in 2007, IAPMO-India administrates the Uniform Plumbing Code – India, developed in cooperation with the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) to achieve the nationwide goal of “Better Plumbing for Better Living.” To that end, IAPMO-India has developed educational programs now offered throughout India at many of the nation’s top universities as well as the Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP) to prepare multiple levels of professional plumbers in India.
Furthermore, IAPMO-India is working with the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) toward the development of the Uniform Mechanical Code – India, and with IPA established GreenPlumbers India, an innovative national training and accreditation program designed to assist Indian plumbing contractors/engineers in understanding their role in environmental conservation and public health.
“IAPMO is unique in its service to half the world’s population, creating standards that meet public needs and protect health and safety,” said Allen Inlow, IAPMO senior director of Business and Product Development. “IAPMO’s partnership with IPA has raised the level of plumbing standards to new heights, resulting in the creation of IAPMO-India and furthering the leadership role of the partners. Lt. Gen. Kumar brings unique leadership skills that are a perfect complement to the programs and aspirations of IAPMO, IPA and the new directions within the Indian mechanical industry. I believe he is the right person, at the right time, to assist all the cooperating organizations to maximize all potential benefits to the people of India.”
Kumar’s leadership and reputation will only further strengthen IAPMO-India’s partnerships with such industry leaders as IPA, ISHRAE and the International Institute for Energy Conservation – India (IIEC-India).
“With his vast experience and the respect he commands in the society, I have no doubts that Sree can take IAPMO-India to great heights in the years to come,” said Sudhakaran Nair, IPA president. “He can expect total support from me and my colleagues in IPA in taking forward the numerous ambitious initiatives our two organizations have launched in India for the benefit of the Indian plumbing industry.”
For more information, direct your Web browser to www.iapmoindia.org.
Last modified: December 30, 2010