WASHINGTON--President Obama named his e-government chief on Thursday, Vivek Kundra, Kundra's official title is Federal Chief Information Officer and he will be making his debut with the press at a conference call this morning.
For an administration promising transparency, Kundra formerly the Chief Technology Officer for the District of Columbia, will have a big say in how information is presented on-line. For example, will the actual guts of contracts flowing from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act be posted, or, as the wording in the legislation suggests, just summaries?
The transparency community has been eagerly waiting for Kundra's appointment.
Below, from the White House
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2009
President Obama Names Vivek Kundra Chief Information Officer
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Barack Obama named Vivek Kundra the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the White House.
The Federal Chief Information Officer directs the policy and strategic planning of federal information technology investments and is responsible for oversight of federal technology spending. The Federal CIO establishes and oversees enterprise architecture to ensure system interoperability and information sharing and ensure information security and privacy across the federal government. The CIO will also work closely with the Chief Technology Officer to advance the President's technology agenda.
President Obama said, "Vivek Kundra will bring a depth of experience in the technology arena and a commitment to lowering the cost of government operations to this position. I have directed him to work to ensure that we are using the spirit of American innovation and the power of technology to improve performance and lower the cost of government operations. As Chief Information Officer, he will play a key role in making sure our government is running in the most secure, open, and efficient way possible."
The following announcement was made today:
Vivek Kundra, Federal Chief Information Officer
Vivek Kundra formerly served in Mayor Fenty's cabinet as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the District of Columbia, responsible for technology operations and strategy for 86 agencies. He has been recognized among the top 25 CTO's in the country and as the 2008 IT Executive of the Year for his pioneering work to drive transparency, engage citizens and lower the cost of government operations. Kundra is also recognized for his leadership in public safety communications, cyber security and IT portfolio management. Before Kundra came to the District, Governor Timothy M. Kaine appointed him Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first dual cabinet role in the state's history. Kundra's diverse record also includes technology and public policy experience in private industry and academia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and holds a MS in Information Technology from the University of Maryland.
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Lynn Sweet is a columnist and the Washington Bureau Chief for the 
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Lynn, could you ask him, will they put the earmarks for Illinois and the othe States on- line, and will we be able to break it down by cities and counties?
Wallace"Gator"Bradley
Urban Translator
312-371-6914
hope all the appointments made by President Obama will work.. and we give him the benefit of the doubt.. Good Luck Mr. Kundra.. He has a good background.. Maybe he has a lot to contribute for the benefit of American people..