Quick Facts
Biography
Dr. J Alexander, IAS (Retired), Former Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister, Karnataka State, India, was born in Mangad, in Kollam District of Kerala State on 8 August 1938 in a middle-class family; one out of seven children from John Joseph and Elizabeth Joseph.
Education
His early education was in Kollam until he finished B.A in English Language and Literature. Did his M.A in English Literature from University College, Trivandrum and did his Ph.D in Philosophy from Karnataka University.
Career
He Started his career as a Lecturer in English in Fatima Mata National College, Kollam and joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1963, where he was allotted to Karnataka State IAS cadre. Served for 33 years in various departments:, rising to District Commissioner and District Magistrate of Dharwad District, Karnataka, Revenue Commissioner of Karnataka State and Chairman, Karnataka State Revenue Appellate Tribunal. He was also Commissioner and Chief Executive of Bangalore City Municipal Corporation. chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority,Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Karnataka state Urban water supply and sewerage Board, Slum Clearance Board, and housing Board.
He was also : Chief Executive of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Chairman and Managing Director, Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mangalore, and chairman of several other enterprises. Finally, he was Chief Secretary(CEO), of the State of Karnataka.
Social Life
After retirement from Civil Service, he joined public life, contested elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, became a member of the Legislative Assembly from Bharathi Nagar presently Sarvagnanagar Constituency, Bangalore and became a Cabinet Minister for Tourism of Karnataka State. Currently Vice President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee,Karnataka.
President of Bangalore City YMCA for the last 30 years,Advisory Board member in Global Organization of People of Indian Origin(GOPIO),Board of governors of Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Bangalore and Chairman of its branch in KOCHI,Kerala.