Himagiri Mukkamala | Digital Thread Podcast | Momenta

From Engineer to CEO:

Revolutionizing IoT Connectivity - The Journey of Himagiri Mukkamala

We are thrilled to bring you a new episode of the Digital Thread podcast, where we delve into the minds of industry leaders and visionaries who have shaped the digital industry landscape. In this edition,  Ken Forster interviews Himagiri Mukkamala, an accomplished leader, technologist and extreme runner.

Himagiri Mukkamala, also known as "Hima," is the former CEO of Pelion, a groundbreaking company that empowered customers and partners to securely connect and manage IoT devices over multiple cellular networks globally. Under his visionary leadership, Pelion has left an indelible mark on the IoT ecosystem, driving innovation and transformative change.

Prior to his tenure at Pelion, Hima played a pivotal role at General Electric, where he worked in the Industrial IoT and Digital space. His contributions were instrumental in leading the platform engineering and product management organizations for the iconic Predix platform. This platform, designed for Industrial IoT applications, has been a catalyst for digital transformation across various industries.

Before his remarkable journey at General Electric, Hima led several engineering teams at Sybase, where he played a significant role in building the Mobile Platform. His dedication and expertise contributed to SAP's successful acquisition of Sybase, a momentous event that reshaped the enterprise software landscape.

Discover invaluable insights and inspiration from a tech industry trailblazer. During this interview, you'll gain unique perspectives on the technology landscape and the transformative journey of Himagiri Mukkamala, the former CEO of Pelion.

 Discussion Points:

• What would you consider your digital thread (the one or more thematic threads that define your digital industry journey)?
• What was your remit at GE Digital, and what are you most proud of during your tenure, rising from Senior Director of Software Engineering to SVP of Engineering & Technical Product Management - Predix?
• GE is also a reminder of the danger of moving too fast in the digitization of industry.  If you could turn back time to the beginning of your tenure at GE, what decisions or actions would you approach differently?
• You took an even more ambitious role at ARM in 2017, leading their IoT Cloud Services platform, which eventually became Pelion. What attracted you to the company, and what were some of your key accomplishments?
• As the leader during Pelion's spin-out and eventual trade sale, which marked significant achievements, what invaluable lessons did you acquire, particularly concerning the IoT connectivity space and the spin-out/sale process?
• In our recent conversations, you mentioned the challenge you’ve seen in hardware companies trying to create software capabilities. Can you say more about this?
• As Industrial Automation stands at a crucial crossroads, considering reshoring, the energy transition, and labor challenges, what are the key trends you are closely monitoring concerning the future of the industry?
• When you're not leading industry, I understand that you engage in Mountain ultra-marathons of 200 miles+ in breathtaking locations such as Tahoe, BigFoot, and Moab. Tell us a bit about this passion.
• In closing, could you share where you find your inspiration and which books have inspired you most? (e.g., book recommendations, articles, podcasts, people, etc.)