WASHINGTON, April 18, 2009
Obama Names Admin.'s Chief Tech Officials
New Additions To White House Will Set Tech Policy, Oversee Innovation To Improve Gov't Performance, Cybersecurity
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Aneesh Chopra (left), Virginia's Secretary of Technology, and Vivek Kundra, Washington, D.C.'s former Chief Technology Officer, have been named to key posts in the Obama White House, overseeing the administration's efforts on cybersecurity and technological innovation. (AP/Times-Dispatch; Wash. Post)
Mr. Obama named Aneesh Chopra, the Harvard-educated secretary of technology for the state of Virginia, as the federal government's first chief technology officer. Chopra, 36, will help reduce health care costs and foster cybersecurity.
"In this role, Aneesh will promote technological innovation to help achieve our most urgent priorities - from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure," Mr. Obama said in his Saturday radio and Internet address.
Chopra's corporate experience included working as managing director of the Advisory Board Company, a Washington-based health research company.
Another Indian-American, Vivek Kundra, will serve as chief information officer. Kundra is responsible for "responsible for setting technology policy across the government, and using technology to improve security, ensure transparency, and lower costs," President Obama said.
Kundra, 34, was chief technology officer for the city of Washington.
President Obama also named Jeffrey Zients, a longtime management consultant, as chief performance officer. His selection comes after Mr. Obama's first choice for the newly created position, Nancy Killefer, withdrew in February over tax problems.
Zients, a founder and managing partner of the investment firm Portfolio Logic, will also serve as a deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Zients has 20 years of business experience as a CEO, management consultant and entrepreneur. He has helped lead firms that provide performance benchmarks and best practices across a wide range of industries.
"With the leadership of these individuals, I am confident that we can break our bad habits, put an end to the mismanagement that has plagued our government and start living within our means again," Mr. Obama said. "That is how we will get our deficits under control and move from recovery to prosperity."
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I disagree with some of your assertions. But, your alluded to conclusion that President Obama could be replaced at the next election is a valid one!
Even many of President Obama's supporters are troubled at his reversal on so many issues
since getting elected!
You could be correct! We'll have to wait and see!
The beginning of this Presidency, one construed so clearly of ideology and lacking pragmatism, concerns me deeply. Supported and left unchecked by the Congress (Pelosi, et al) reminded me of something Cicero said,
"The evil implanted in man by nature spreads so imperceptibly, when the habit of wrong-doing is unchecked, that he himself can set no limit to his shamelessness."
Mr. Obama, I'm utterly embarrassed by your leadership to date and I am confounded by the magnitude of your "shamelessness".
In this country listen to all of the citizenry instead of attempting to appease and ideology, foreign dignitaries and their citizens.
Remember your election was by a scant 2.9% above the 50% majority across this great nation. 47.1% of us are reminded on daily basis, by these kinds of actions, that our vote was appropriate.
Jobs should remain in America for Americans
These fine guys are Americans and great achievers
They are working in America and for the Government of America
India?
health care costs, and ensuring cybersecurity!
It looks like another case of "job overlap" to me! What's the point of having the Dept. of Homeland Defense or the Dept. of Human Services or the Commerce Dept.? I would
think that the heads of those departments and their staffs are more equipped to handle
these issues than these two men!
This is another example of expanding the size of government (waste), and having too many cooks working on the same meal! Which, ALWAYS results in disaster!
It also looks like another means that can be used for nefarious intent, like shipping more
jobs over to India or China, and away from Americans! Yep, in another couple of years
America will be a third world nation in all but name only!
To save money, all jobs concerning health care costs and cybersecurity will be sent to India. This will streamline the government because all health consultations will be made by phone. As for the security issue to protect our data, it will now be India's responsibility.