YOUR STORY MATTERS HERE: Ramesh Subramaniam

By Tim Wesley

When Ramesh Subramaniam needs to unwind, he grabs the nearest vacuum cleaner and gets busy.

“I like cleaning,” he says. “I vacuum constantly. It’s relaxing and very satisfying because you get instant results. Plus, I love the lines on the carpet when I’m done.”

Having a hobby that requires constant motion seems fitting for someone who’s been on the move most of his life. As the son of a pastor, he moved eight times while growing up. As an adult who’s weathered several layoffs and enjoyed several promotions, he’s moved four more times.  Clearly, after a dozen moves, he’s not the type to just sit around.

“It’s hard for me to slow down most of the time because I always have things to do and I like to be a few steps ahead,” says Ramesh, who recently turned 50. “That’s 100 percent my nature.”

That nature is apparent, whether he’s busy preparing for a board meeting at work, helping to lead the men’s ministry at Dutilh, or serving as a mentor to colleagues and confirmands.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Ramesh grew up in many small towns, thanks to his dad’s service as a United Methodist pastor for 35 years – 28 in the Western Ohio conference and seven in Singapore and Malaysia. (Ramesh is half-Indian and half-Filipino.)

In 1991 he graduated from Xenia High School in Ohio and wasn’t sure what profession to pursue, but wanted to be involved in the health care industry. He started as a biology major at Wright State University, then switched to pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. Eventually he switched back to biology and graduated in 1999, then launched his career by accepting a sales position with Sanofi, a global pharmaceuticals manufacturer. Five years later he was promoted to district sales manager, but five years after that he was part of a company layoff – which began what he called “a rollercoaster ride” in his career.

Looking back now, he says it’s a ride he would take all over again. In fact, he remembers talking with fellow Dutilh member Ron Hogue after being laid off again a few years later.

“Congratulations,” said Ron, offering a sentiment that at first stunned Ramesh. “That means there’s something about to happen and another door will be opening for you.”

Ron was right, even though for a time it must have seemed like a revolving door. Ramesh joined Golden Living, a skilled nursing company, then was laid off. He joined UPMC, but then accepted an offer to return to Sanofi as a district sales manager; two years later he was laid off again. He went back to UPMC again, then accepted an offer from Highmark in 2018. Today, several promotions later, he serves as director of business planning and performance, where he’s involved in all aspects of operations.

“During those tougher times, I learned about myself, about life, about a lot of stuff,” he says. “Jeremiah 29:11 has always resonated with me: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ But that verse really came alive during those times of uncertainty. Now, it feels like all of that was training me for my current position.”

In addition to his planning duties, he created a mentorship program while in Clinical Engagement Digital Innovation at Highmark, and he also serves as an informal mentor himself. When opportunities arise to share his faith, he’s comfortable doing so.

“My favorite part of the job is building relationships, meeting new people, and welcoming new people into the organization,” he says. “Sometimes a discussion over lunch might lead to questions like, ‘Where do you go to church?’ That can lead to very awesome conversations. Some people ask me how I’m so positive, and that leads to a church discussion.”

Ramesh says listening and leading by example are key components in those relationships.

“I feel like there’s a reason for my two ears and one mouth,” he says. “I’ve learned to listen to the people around me, especially during times when things get stressful professionally or sometimes personally. I also try to lead by example by always staying calm, reassuring people during tough times that things will be ok, and staying positive. And I volunteer any chance I get at work, even if it is something simple like helping clean up after a team event or just helping someone carry their stuff to the parking lot. I don't hesitate to help others.”

Ramesh also doesn’t hesitate to help others through his involvement at Dutilh, playing major roles in several areas. He started as an usher, then volunteered to teach Kingdom Kids. He’s been a liturgist and played piano at church services, and he served as chairman of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Last year, Veronica Runyan and he led focus groups for church members to provide input on Dutilh’s future plans. Currently, he helps to lead the men’s ministry and a men’s small group.

“The best thing about being a part of the Dutilh community are the people, plain and simple,” he says. “The men’s ministry, and especially the men’s small group, they’re my brothers. They’re some of my all-time best friends and I can't imagine my life without them.” 

For the past five years, he’s also been part of Dutilh’s program to mentor students during their confirmation process.

“It’s an honor to mentor these amazing young men,” he says. “I try to think about if I had an older brother to look up to, what would we have talked about? For these kids, it’s just being there and present in the moment. When you have conversations with anyone, you never know what seeds are planted. I don’t expect someone to remember a Bible verse, but maybe they remember that we volunteered for something together. One time some of them came over for pizza and we put together care packages for people who were homeless. Something like that puts things in perspective, that maybe we shouldn’t complain so much about little things, given the circumstances that some people deal with every day.”

Ramesh and his wife, Renu, have been Dutilh members for 17 years, joining when they moved to Cranberry Township from Columbus. They’ve been married for 22 years and have three kids: Jaya (age 21), Jeevan (18), and Jasmine (15).

Their relationship began as a storybook romance, quite literally. Although their families knew each other through an Indian-Christian fellowship group, he had never talked to her “because she hung out with the cool kids. I saw her from a distance and thought she was cute, but I was shy. Eventually, I told her dad and step-mom that I’d love to talk to her and received their permission. The first time I called her, we talked for hours and hours. The next time I asked what type of flowers she liked, and she said wild flowers. Then she asked me, and I said blue bird roses.”

Renu took that as a sign because it reminded her of a favorite story about a girl who’s looking for Mr. Right. The girl prays for God to give her a sign, then sees a boy who has the bluest eyes, and it turns out his last name is Rose. In the story, they end up getting married.

“While we were dating,” Ramesh says, “I told Renu that when you see a blue rose, that’s when I’ll ask you to marry me. One day we were meeting in a park, she saw blue roses on a bench and I came out of the woods. That’s the only time I gave her blue roses.”

And that was his best move ever.

-Published November 1, 2023

If you or someone you know in the Dutilh family has an interesting story, send us your ideas! We would love to help tell your story. Email: communications@dutilhumc.org.