First official US CTO Aneesh Chopra resigns
updated 05:50 pm EST, Fri January 27, 2012
Steps down to follow political ambition
Aneesh Chopra, the nation's first Chief Technical Officer, has tendered his resignation. Although no official reason was given, it's unofficially considered most likely he is stepping down so he can follow his own political ambitions. Chopra has been in the CTO position since May 2009.
President Obama created the position of a national CTO on the first day he took office. Chopra was sworn in on May 22, 2009. During his tenure he was able to initiate several programs. These included designing the President’s National Wireless Initiative, establishing a set of Internet Policy Principles, calling for a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, and implementing an open government strategy with some, though not all, content made public.
Washington insiders believe that the timing of his resignation was politically motivated. He has personal aspirations to run for the post of Lieutenant Governor in his home state of Virginia. He is also likely to hit the campaign trail on behalf of President Obama in has quest for re-election, as well help his earlier overseer, former Governor Tim Kaine, who is trying to get elected to the Senate by replacing retiring Virginia US Senator James Webb. [via The Washington Post, photo via Getty]
