Getting to Know Daktronics’ New CEO, Ramesh Jayaraman

A Global Journey to Daktronics

Ramesh brings more than 25 years of experience in building technologies and the audiovisual industry, with leadership roles spanning strategy, operations, acquisitions and business growth. Throughout his career, he has led businesses around the world, building a deep understanding of global markets and evolving technologies.

Born in India and raised in several countries, including Japan, Thailand and Indonesia, Ramesh has lived and worked across multiple continents. That global perspective continues to shape his approach to leadership today.

Before joining Daktronics, he held leadership roles with companies including Harman and Bosch, where he led business units, oversaw acquisitions and helped grow operations across North America. His experience across both audio and visual technologies also gave him early exposure to Daktronics and the company’s reputation for quality and customer service.

When the opportunity to lead Daktronics emerged, it felt like a natural next step.

First Impressions of Brookings and the Team

As he steps into the CEO role, Ramesh is focused on listening, learning and building relationships across the organization. Since arriving in Brookings, he has spent time meeting team members, walking through facilities and learning more about the company’s operations and culture.

His early impressions have left a strong mark.

He describes the company’s 57-year legacy as “absolutely stellar” and sees his role as building on that foundation while helping guide the company into its next phase of growth. The people, he says, have stood out most during his first weeks.

“The team here has been amazing,” he shared. “There is not one person I’ve met that you can’t work with and build with. That’s a great ingredient for where we need to go.”

Brookings itself has also made an impression. After years of living in major global cities, Ramesh says the community’s welcoming spirit and Midwestern values played an important role in his decision. He now calls Brookings home during the week and looks forward to spending more time in the community with his family.

A Leadership Philosophy Focused on People and Growth

As he begins this new role, Ramesh emphasizes a leadership approach centered on people, listening and continuous improvement. His early focus is on understanding the business, hearing from employees and customers, and identifying the key drivers that will shape future success.

“My job is to serve our team and serve our customers,” he said during the conversation. “If we build our people and support them to do bigger things, we’ll build a stronger company.”

He also sees significant opportunities ahead for Daktronics as the company continues evolving within the experience and audiovisual technology space. By combining its strong legacy with new ideas and market insights, he believes the organization is well-positioned for continued growth.

Looking Ahead

As Daktronics enters this next chapter, Ramesh is focused on building on the company’s foundation while helping position it for the future. That includes strengthening teams, listening to customers and exploring new ways to grow within an ever-changing market.

He’s also eager to stay connected with employees, customers and partners as he settles into the role and continues learning.

“I’m honored to be here...This is about building on what’s already been created and making it bigger and better together.”

To hear the full conversation and learn more about Ramesh’s background and vision for the future, watch the complete episode of the Daktronics Experience Podcast on YouTube.

Or listen to the audio version on your favorite podcast listening app.