A Story of Loyalty and Innovation in Aviation Tech Leadership
Sam Jacob, CEO – Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Business, Ramco Systems, 0
2014 was pretty much the "V1, Rotate" year for the Indian aviation industry. The number of operational airports in the country has grown from around 74 in 2014 to approximately 159 by 2024, and more than 50 new or enhanced airports planned in the next five years. Today, the industry is cruising in the clouds, being one of the fastest-growing markets globally. Valued at approximately $14.47 billion in 2024, the industry is projected to reach $40.81 billion by 2033. It’s no coincidence that Indian airlines have placed around 1,350 new aircraft in just the last two years (2023-2024), with major players like IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, Go First, and Vistara collectively having over 1,100 planes on order. Sam Jacob, CEO – Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Business, Ramco Systems, is making significant contributions to this amazing future of Indian Aviation. With over 25 years of experience in the company, Sam is a pioneer at Ramco and contributes to various aspects of the company’s Aviation business, right from product design, development, presales and implementation consulting to customer support. CEO Insights engages in an exclusive interaction with Sam to explore his latest endeavors.
What inspired your loyalty to Ramco Systems, and what has kept you at the company for over 25 years?
An ideal career comes down to aligning personal interests and natural aptitude with the specifics of a job opportunity. I began my journey with this company straight from campus in my first real role, and it was truly unique then—as I still believe it is today—because it’s a genuine product company. While there are other product-driven firms, what sets this place apart is the focus on complex software engineering, particularly in ERP products, which are well known for their vast scale, deep integrations, and inherent complexity.
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I made a deliberate choice to pursue a career grounded in developing expertise, rather than following the more common path into general management or broad, transferable skills—a route that’s open to most professionals, not just those in software. This direction closely matched what I wanted from my career, my existing skill set, my aptitude, and my long-term aspirations.
What makes the product delivery structure you built at Ramco unique?
What sets apart the product delivery structure at Ramco is our focus on developing real expertise—not just in technical areas, but in understanding and addressing full-scale industry challenges from start to finish. I structured teams to blend deep specialization with a collective commitment to crafting practical, lasting solutions for aviation organizations. Achieving this demands that we build both domain knowledge and product mastery, underpinned by strong processes and effective tools. I also foster a culture of flexibility, encouraging team members to adapt their roles and approaches, so that all expertise is directed toward our shared goals. This approach has enabled us to form cohesive teams that can confidently take on complex issues while consistently upholding high standards.
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Could you briefly tell us about the latest products or releases at Ramco that excite you?
At Ramco’s aviation unit, we focus our efforts on a single core product, delivering major updates every 9-12 months. The latest release that truly excites me is Version 6.0, which marks the result of years of steady enhancements since Version 5.0. This version addresses the intricate challenges of engine maintenance—a domain known for its technical complexity and strict regulatory
demands.
With Version 6.0, we have digitized and unified workflows that were once managed through fragmented custom solutions and manual paperwork. The new features include digital execution, electronic signatures, automated billing, and customer portals, all designed to streamline operations. What really stands out to me is our integration of AI and machine learning, applying them to troubleshooting and predictive maintenance by leveraging our extensive domain knowledge and customer data.
What is the prospect and significance of predictive maintenance in aviation?
Predictive maintenance holds tremendous promise for aviation, where safety and reliability are absolutely vital. In this industry, the bar for accuracy and trust in AI solutions is much higher due to strict standards, which makes our work both challenging and rewarding. At Ramco, I’m involved in integrating AI to help mechanics with troubleshooting and routine maintenance by drawing on historical data and offering intelligent, situation-specific suggestions.
We already have early adopters piloting these capabilities, which are designed to lighten the manual workload and enhance overall safety. For me, the key challenge is ensuring that AI supports and enhances human expertise, rather than introducing any unacceptable risks into mission-critical maintenance processes.
What do you consider your biggest professional achievement over the past 25 years?
Over the past 25 years, I consider the collective achievements of our team and organization to be my greatest professional accomplishment. I take pride in having helped build a world-class product for a demanding industry and establishing Ramco as a recognized leader in aviation software. Serving over 90 customers worldwide, including some of the largest and most mature organizations, is a testament to that success.
But above all, what I value most is having assembled and nurtured a highly skilled and motivated team that consistently delivers and sustains our competitive edge.
What advice would you give to upcoming leaders in the aviation industry, especially in R&D?
My advice is to stay deeply aligned with the organization’s mission and the impact you want to create. It’s crucial to keep your focus on long-term goals and remain resilient through the inevitable highs and lows. I believe leaders should ensure their teams maintain close connections with customers and the market to bridge any gaps between expectations and what is delivered.
Building strong teams is fundamental. I make it a priority to attract and support people who are smarter than me, encourage their independence, and foster a genuine sense of purpose and belonging across the organization. This helps nurture a mission-driven culture that can sustain itself and drive lasting success.
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How do you ensure work-life balance?
I recognize that my role can be mentally demanding and that it’s not always easy to disconnect. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I prioritize routines that help me recharge both mentally and physically, including regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating well. I also make a conscious effort to set aside time to step away from work and refresh myself, as this is essential for sustaining my performance and overall well-being over the long term.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I’m passionate about motorsports, especially following Formula 1 and MotoGP. I also enjoy watching movies. Spending quality time with my family, particularly with my children, is very important to me as well.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is Kerala cuisine. However, I enjoy trying a wide variety of dishes, including Punjabi and Western cuisines.
With Version 6.0, we have digitized and unified workflows that were once managed through fragmented custom solutions and manual paperwork. The new features include digital execution, electronic signatures, automated billing, and customer portals, all designed to streamline operations. What really stands out to me is our integration of AI and machine learning, applying them to troubleshooting and predictive maintenance by leveraging our extensive domain knowledge and customer data.
What is the prospect and significance of predictive maintenance in aviation?
Predictive maintenance holds tremendous promise for aviation, where safety and reliability are absolutely vital. In this industry, the bar for accuracy and trust in AI solutions is much higher due to strict standards, which makes our work both challenging and rewarding. At Ramco, I’m involved in integrating AI to help mechanics with troubleshooting and routine maintenance by drawing on historical data and offering intelligent, situation-specific suggestions.
It’s crucial to keep your focus on long-term goals and remain resilient through the inevitable highs and lows.
We already have early adopters piloting these capabilities, which are designed to lighten the manual workload and enhance overall safety. For me, the key challenge is ensuring that AI supports and enhances human expertise, rather than introducing any unacceptable risks into mission-critical maintenance processes.
What do you consider your biggest professional achievement over the past 25 years?
Over the past 25 years, I consider the collective achievements of our team and organization to be my greatest professional accomplishment. I take pride in having helped build a world-class product for a demanding industry and establishing Ramco as a recognized leader in aviation software. Serving over 90 customers worldwide, including some of the largest and most mature organizations, is a testament to that success.
But above all, what I value most is having assembled and nurtured a highly skilled and motivated team that consistently delivers and sustains our competitive edge.
What advice would you give to upcoming leaders in the aviation industry, especially in R&D?
My advice is to stay deeply aligned with the organization’s mission and the impact you want to create. It’s crucial to keep your focus on long-term goals and remain resilient through the inevitable highs and lows. I believe leaders should ensure their teams maintain close connections with customers and the market to bridge any gaps between expectations and what is delivered.
Building strong teams is fundamental. I make it a priority to attract and support people who are smarter than me, encourage their independence, and foster a genuine sense of purpose and belonging across the organization. This helps nurture a mission-driven culture that can sustain itself and drive lasting success.
Also Read: Industry, Academia and Government Synergy Disentangling Societal Challenges
How do you ensure work-life balance?
I recognize that my role can be mentally demanding and that it’s not always easy to disconnect. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I prioritize routines that help me recharge both mentally and physically, including regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating well. I also make a conscious effort to set aside time to step away from work and refresh myself, as this is essential for sustaining my performance and overall well-being over the long term.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I’m passionate about motorsports, especially following Formula 1 and MotoGP. I also enjoy watching movies. Spending quality time with my family, particularly with my children, is very important to me as well.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is Kerala cuisine. However, I enjoy trying a wide variety of dishes, including Punjabi and Western cuisines.