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Gautam Dutta, the smart, good-looking and popular executive director of Asian American Action Fund, or Triple-A Fund, has every reason to walk on air these days. The Democratic political action committee, based in the nation’s capital, has been a major difference-maker on the state, local and national levels in the Nov.4 elections.

“We are very proud of every one of our 2008 endorsed candidates,” Gautam said of nearly 40 endorsees. “In all, over two-thirds of our endorsees won.”

And one of them just happened to be the presidential candidate. In June, a smiling Gautam presided over a fundraiser at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the capital, with everyone chanting, “Victory in November!”

Remarked former AAA-Fund Executive Director Irene Bueno, now a principal at Nueva Vista Group LLC in the nation’s capital: “Under Gautam’s leadership, the AAA- Fund has engaged a larger number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders around the country in the political process through efforts such as the expansion of AAA Fund chapters, and also increasing visibility and online dialogue through the AAA Fund Blog.”

The AAA-Fund has been successful in raising funds to support campaigns of new candidates and incumbents who champion and advocate for the AAPI community, she stressed, adding, “This has brought the AAA-Fund to the national stage.”

Gautam said he spent Election Night in Los Angeles, watching CNN, ABC, and MSNBC. Like President-elect Barack Obama, he savored the historic win, but quickly turned his sights down the road. He said AAA-Fund “looks forward to doing our part to help the Obama Administration succeed in improving the lives of every American.”

In an email interview, Gautam cited some specific priorities. “We must ensure that everyone can get quality healthcare. Too many Asian Americans lack healthcare coverage,” he lamented. “And we need a government that respects civil rights and civil liberties. Ethnic and racial profiling must stop.”

He added: “We need comprehensive immigration reform. Currently, our country turns away many eager students and professionals who want to study and start a new life here. What’s more, some Asian Americans must wait as many as 20 years before their families are allowed to join them in the US. Immigration reform cannot wait.” He said more details are available on www.aaa-fund.org

Asked why the mainstream media did not mention the contribution of the Asian American vote, Gautam began, “Asian Americans voted for Obama over Senator John McCain by a margin of two to one, and played a critical role in Obama’s victories in the swing states of Virginia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.”

He added: “We are a diverse community that has only recently become of political age. Also, most Asian Americans do not live in ‘swing’ states, which determine the presidential winner under the Electoral College. The vast majority of Asian Americans live in non-swing states like California, Texas, Hawaii, and New York. That’s why AAA-Fund has endorsed the National Popular Vote Plan, which will ensure that every state will count in presidential elections.”

Excellent match

Gautam and AAA-Fund are a good fit. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. He earned his undergraduate degrees in Economics and German Literature from Yale University. He’s fluent in Spanish, German, Hindi and Bengali. He was editor in chief of the Yale Political Monthly. His views on the AAA-Fund Blog are notable for their insight.

He has always been active in the community. He was president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund, vice chair of the D.C. Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, and vice president of the South Asian Bar Association.

Ms. Bueno said he has many qualities that make him an effective leader. “He’s an extremely hard worker and has the ability to juggle many things,” she told Asian Fortune. “He works well with leaders in AAPI community and has gained its respect.”

Gautam works at the New America Foundation (newamerica.net/politicalreform) as deputy director of political reform. The Foundation is a national, nonpartisan think tank based in the nation’s capital. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

Gautam served as Tax Counsel to California State Controller John Chiang, an enforcement attorney for the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He worked as a commercial litigator at the Los Angeles firm of Buchalter Nemer, and also as a law clerk for a D.C. federal judge. In 2006, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed him commissioner on the Los Angeles Industrial Development Authority, where he served for a year.

Q & A

What challenges did you overcome in your life and career? My family ran a small business, dry cleaners and Laundromat, when I was growing up. Our landlord, who was an attorney, always gave us a hard time. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to become a lawyer–so that I could use the law to help other people.

Please tell us about your family. My father, Shyamal K. Dutta, is a retired chemical engineer. My mother, Sunanda, is a retired businessowner. My parents have always supported me, and I could never have made it far without them. They live in Calcutta, India. I have two older sisters, Smita and Sheila, who both lived in the D.C. area. I was born in Boston and lived in India from age 6 to 10. I grew up in Arlington, Texas. My wife, Marybelle Ang, is an energy lawyer.

What would you advise the young people on the smart way to succeed today? Take school seriously, and then follow your passion. If you really enjoy doing something, odds are you will probably succeed at it.

Who are your role models? Robert F. Kennedy, US House Speaker Sam Rayburn, Lyndon Johnson, and Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Rep. Mike Honda.

What is your philosophy in life? Give back to the community and never stop learning.

What are your hobbies? I love to read. Currently, I’m reading “The Worst Hard Time,” about the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. I also love to travel, hike, and visit museums.