President Names Chopra CTO
Virginia Technology Secretary Will Promote Innovation, Including Nationwide Broadband Rollout
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 4/19/2009 7:20:29 AM
President Barack Obama has named Aneesh Chopra to the pot of chief technology officer. Chopra had been Virginia's secretary of technology.
The president made the announcement Saturday in his weekly video address.
In addition to streamlining government technology functions, Chopra will "promote technological innovation," which
includes the nationwide rollout of broadband, one of the White House's key technology issues.
Julius Genachowski, the nominee for FCC chairman, at one time was thought to be a prime candidate for the CTO post. Like Genachowski, Chopra was a member of the Obama transition team working on technology and government reform, both of which will be a focus of his new job.
Chopra received shout-outa from various tech groups.
"Obama said part of Chopra's job will be to expand the use of technology to boost broadband access," said Ed Black, president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, in a statement. "With those marching orders and Chopra's abilities we look forward to seeing expanded, affordable access to an open Internet and the increased economic activity that comes from it."
"Aneesh Chopra is one of technology's leading lights and we are lucky to have him as our nation's Chief Technology
Officer," said Intel chairman Craig Barrett in response to the announcement. "Aneesh demonstrated outstanding leadership as Virginia's Secretary of Technology and believes to his core that innovation and technology are the backbone of our economy. We applaud President Barack Obama for this choice of a proven, results-driven and experienced executive."
Added Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association: "Chopra is an excellent selection. He will bring to the position real world technology and public policy experience."
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Awesome choice.
Wil Moore III - 6/24/2009 7:29:11 PM EDT -
Wish Obama is sensitive to all unemployed Americans that lost their jobs to Indian H1bs and got their jobs offshored to India. They maybe Americans but he should pick another person of not Indian descent for the second highest IT jobs. Why does Obama believe there is no good American that can do better than them?
A change we don't believe in. He donated about 12,000 to the Obama campaign.
Debug - 4/19/2009 3:57:26 PM EDT
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