Obama Names Chopra National CTO
President Obama on Saturday tapped Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra to serve as the nation's first chief technology officer, making good on a campaign promise to create the post that enthused Silicon Valley and high-tech policy watchers in Washington. Chopra, who was widely rumored to be a top contender, "will promote technological innovation to help achieve our most urgent priorities -- from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure," Obama said in his weekly radio address. Chopra will work closely with Obama's chief information officer, Vivek Kundra, who is responsible for setting technology policy across the government, and using technology to improve security, ensure transparency, and lower costs. Kundra was appointed CIO and administrator for e-government at OMB last month.
The pair worked together before when Kundra served as Virginia's assistant secretary of commerce and technology. Before joining Gov. Tim Kaine's cabinet, Chopra was a managing director at the Advisory Board Company, a publicly-traded healthcare think tank. Obama also named Jeffrey Zients to serve as deputy director for management at OMB and the federal government's first chief performance officer. High-tech leaders praised Chopra's appointment. Jim Hawley, acting CEO of TechNet, said Chopra's track record in Virginia will serve as a model for his CTO work. Most recently, he was responsible for the creation of Virginia-specific free educational content offered digitally through Apple's popular iTunes Store and a statewide effort to encourage software developers to produce innovative mathematics applications that will engage middle school students.
Ralph Hellmann, the top lobbyist for the Information Technology Industry Council, added Chopra's prowess in the health IT arena is going to be especially helpful as the administration tries to reach its five year goal of universal e-health records. Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett issued a statement calling Chopra "a proven, results-driven and experienced executive" who can harness the power of innovation and cutting-edge discovery to make government work better. Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro said Chopra's background in the private sector will be a plus since he will bring to the job "real world technology and public policy experience."
Questions remain about how much power the CTO will wield but at least one congressman wants the job made permanent for presidential administrations to come. Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., introduced a bill earlier this month that he believes would give the CTO critical resources including the ability to convene hearings, conduct studies, establish advisory panels, and award grants and fellowships. Making the CTO a permanent position in the executive branch will give the individual "greater stature and empower him/her to accomplish the goals of the president," he wrote in a "Dear Colleague" letter. Connolly and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., recently wrote to Obama recommending Chopra for the job.
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