Preetham Kumar Dammalapati has been recognized with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for his exceptional technical leadership and transformative impact on government service delivery in Pennsylvania. His innovative approach to software engineering has fundamentally changed how citizens interact with state services, demonstrating world-class excellence across leadership, innovation, research, and public service. Through his role as Technical Architecture Specialist at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Dammalapati has consistently delivered solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of human needs, establishing new standards for digital government transformation.

Revolutionary Digital Transformation in Public Transportation

Dammalapati’s most significant achievement centers on his pivotal role in developing the Find My Ride Transportation Eligibility System (TES). This groundbreaking platform changed how vulnerable populations access transportation services across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. His technical architecture replaced outdated paper-based processes with a scalable, mobile-responsive system that dynamically evaluates data against business rules for real-time eligibility determination. The sophisticated cloud-native solution leveraged MuleSoft 4 and AWS, deploying microservices via Docker/Kubernetes while utilizing AWS S3 for secure metadata storage and file transfers.

The technical challenges Dammalapati overcame were substantial, particularly when integrating with third-party transit agencies without Data Sharing Agreements that risked exposing sensitive personal information. He developed an elegant solution implementing a flexible RESTful API framework using JAX-RS and Spring Boot, reinforced with OAuth 2.0 authentication and Spring Security policies. His meticulous attention to ADA/WCAG compliance standards ensured universal accessibility, resulting in a 65% reduction in application processing time, an 80% reduction in errors, and a 30% increase in applications from individuals with disabilities.

Enterprise-Scale Security and Infrastructure Innovation

Dammalapati’s technical versatility extends beyond transportation to comprehensive enterprise solutions, exemplified by his work on the Integrated Security Attribute Management Solution (iSAM), serving over 35,000 employees and contractors across 200+ critical systems. His architectural vision transformed disparate security systems into a unified framework, reducing identity and access management complexity by 60% while generating annual cost savings of approximately $650,000. The integration of RadiantOne Virtual Directory with Active Directories, LDAP, and databases created a seamless security ecosystem that enhanced organizational efficiency through containerized microservices on AWS ECS and Kubernetes.

His environmental permitting work through the Keystone Environmental ePermitting System (KEES) further demonstrates exceptional problem-solving abilities, where he led backend infrastructure development, achieving 99.9% uptime while maintaining data integrity. The Highway Beautification Management System (HBMS) showcases his ability to manage complex workflows, processing over 15,000 permits annually with automated systems using AWS Step Functions and advanced GIS tools. These implementations resulted in a 68% reduction in permit processing time, $420,000 in annual operational savings, and dramatic improvements in data accuracy and customer satisfaction that have become benchmarks for government digital services.

Recognition and Professional Excellence

The Find My Ride TES project earned Dammalapati the prestigious 2025 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award, establishing national recognition for his exceptional technical vision and its impact on citizen services. Government Technology Magazine featured the project as “A Model for Digital Transformation in Public Transit,” while the Governor’s Awards for Excellence further validated its significance within Pennsylvania’s government innovation initiatives. His receipt of the Titan Innovation Award’s Gold Medal in Cloud Technology places him among an elite cadre of global innovators whose work reshapes technological landscapes and sets new standards for excellence.

Dammalapati maintains active membership in prestigious professional organizations, including IEEE as a Senior Member, AI2030 for responsible artificial intelligence development, and the International Association of Engineering and Management (IAEME). These affiliations validate his standing within the global technical community while demonstrating his ongoing dedication to professional development and knowledge exchange. His multidisciplinary expertise at the intersection of technical architecture and organizational leadership positions him as a thought leader driving public sector innovation forward.

Final Words

Dammalapati’s exceptional contributions extend beyond technical metrics to fundamental improvements in citizen experiences and government efficiency, where his work has reached over 100,000 users within six months of the Find My Ride TES launch. His projects have generated millions in cost savings while creating more inclusive, responsive systems that truly serve vulnerable populations, achieving a remarkable 92% satisfaction rate that validates his approach of aligning technical architecture with human needs. Recognition through multiple prestigious awards and his active membership in leading professional organizations demonstrate his standing within the global technical community and commitment to advancing responsible innovation.

What distinguishes Dammalapati is his holistic understanding of how technology serves the public good, consistently delivering solutions that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and user experience while turning technical architecture into tangible benefits for citizens. His work embodies the highest ideals of public service through technology, establishing Pennsylvania as a national model for digital government transformation that other states now seek to emulate. Through his exceptional technical leadership and steadfast commitment to leveraging modern technologies for public service, Dammalapati has made exceptional contributions that make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition.