Washington, March 11 (IANS) US President Barack Obama has appointed Shantanu Narayen, Indian-American president and CEO of Adobe Systems, to an advisory panel on how to implement best business practices in government.

Announcing the appointment of Osmania University graduate Narayen and nine other "impressive individuals" to President's Management Advisory Board (PMAB), Obama said, "I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country."

"I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead to deliver a government that's more affordable, effective and efficient."

Before becoming Adobe Systems CEO in 2007, Narayen was Adobe's president and COO. Previously, he held key product research and development positions within Adobe, including executive vice president of worldwide products and vice president and general manager of the engineering technology group.

Before joining Adobe in 1998, Narayen was a co-founder of Pictra, Inc., an online photo sharing service.

Prior to that, he held senior management positions at Silicon Graphics, Inc. and Apple Computer, Inc. Narayen holds a BS from Osmania University in India, an MS from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from the Haas School of Business PMAB was established in April last year to provide advice on how to implement best business practices on matters related to Federal Government management and operation, with a particular focus on productivity, the application of technology, and customer service.

It will hold its first meeting at the White House Friday. This is part of the President's ongoing commitment to cut waste and get the most from taxpayer dollars, the White House said.

Chaired by the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Jeffrey Zients, the board will advise both the President and the President's Management Council, an interagency group that includes the deputy secretaries from the major executive departments and agencies.

The PMAB builds on the work of the President's Accountable Government Initiative and the 2010 White House Forum on Modernising Government, which brought together 50 of the country's top Chief Executive Officers, who shared ideas about adapting their proven techniques and practices to spark improvements in efficiency and effectiveness across the government, the White House said.