Donning his cap as chairman of the Bush for President campaign, Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-VA, announced and enthusiastically embraced the addition of fellow Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte to the George W. Bush camp. "It is an honor to endorse Governor George W. Bush for President," said Goodlatte in a statement. "Gov. Bush understands the importance of technology jobs in the new economy. I look forward to working with him to lessen government's grasp on hard-working Americans, to encourage technological innovation, and to continue to move our economy forward in the next century." Rep. Goodlatte currently co-chairs the Congressional Internet Caucus and is also the chairman of the House Republican High Technology Working Group.

     Developing new media strategies for issue advocacy groups will be Andrew Freed's new job as vice president of media strategy for mindshare Internet Campaigns, a political consulting firm that develops online campaigns, Web design and online advertising for advocacy groups. Freed leaves Squier Knapp Dunn Communications, where he was vice president and worked on local, state, and federal campaigns. "The Internet is a new frontier, and this is a tremendous opportunity to take my experience from a firm that pioneered in traditional political communication and now to apply this to a new medium is a huge opportunity," Freed said. Bringing experience running political and issue advocacy campaigns, Freed also will focus on helping mindshare's political clients pursue their public education and advocacy efforts with the use of new media. "Andrew has been working for one of the best in the business at Squier, which has defined what it mean to use television in the political process," said Jonah Seiger, co-founder and principal of mindshare. Also, mindshare's first employee, Phil Lepanto, has been named vice president of technology operations. Bethany Little has been promoted to vice president of account strategy.

     Mary Clare Fitzgerald, founder and executive director of the EComForum, a non-profit, lobbying group for high-tech issues, has moved to the law firm Troutman Sanders where she will be policy director for electronic commerce. The Atlanta-based firm has a strong telecom and IP practice that will benefit EconForum members. The EconForum, founded four years ago, has played key roles moving legislation through halls of the Hill, such as the digital signature bill currently on its way through the Commerce Committee. Having an extensive background in the financial services arena, Fitzgerald stresses the importance of combining e-commerce with financial services industry. "We needed another umbrella group; what I learned was to avoid niche-group lobbying," Fitzgerald said. "We think there is strength when the e-commerce industry represents itself as an industry rather than just a niche of industries."

     The Association of Online Professionals is losing its director of communications and member services, Susan Merkel. Merkel will not be leaving the technology industry altogether; she will be working as an account supervisor in technology practice at Edelman Public Relations Worldwide in Washington, DC. "This move from AOP to Edelman is just a normal career progression for me and an excellent opportunity to work with a terrific agency," Merkel said. "I am still involved with the association and will be working with them to continue to be successful." The AOP is a trade organization that provides Internet access, business and electronic commerce industries a "voice for the industry in legislative and regulatory issues that include privacy, copyright, taxation, self-regulation and electronic commerce." Merkel had been with the organization since its inception in 1994. According to an AOP spokesperson, the association is exploring several options, but has not hired anyone to fill the position.

     Mark E. Pursley has been selected to be national director of the Account Management Division of the Electronic Tax Administration of the Internal Revenue Service. As head of this division, Pursely will be responsible for increasing the volume of electronically transmitted tax and information returns.

     One Israeli high-tech company has hired a new consultant with big-time international name recognition. BATM, an Israeli data communications engineering company, has hired former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as consultant to the company, which makes and markets communications equipment. "He will help us with our work in the United States and elsewhere, and we think he has the talent to do the job," BATM president Tsvi Merom told Israel Television.

     Part of Microsoft's dynasty may be leaving his post as soon as next year. Paul Maritz, the vice president of Microsoft's developer group, has decided to forfeit most of his operational responsibilities, spawning rumor that a complete departure or retirement could only follow or may be imminent. If Maritz leaves, he will join a list of top executive defectors. Maritz will continue in a new group as one of those who advise Bill Gates on technical issues. And according to The Wall Street Journal, this current commitment extends at least until the end of the year. Maritz joined Microsoft in 1986 and played a major role in the production of Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems. Vice President David Vaskevitch will be responsible for the daily activities of the developer group and will now report to Maritz.

     Let the games begin— the second search for a CEO of toysrus.com is over. John Barbour, who is currently the president and CEO of OddzOn, a novelty toy specialist based in Napa Valley, CA, was named president and CEO of the four-month-old company Monday. "John has all the expertise and characteristics we need to make toysrus.com the leading online retailer for toys and children's products, and we're delighted to welcome him aboard," said CEO of Toys "R" Us Robert Nakasone in a press release. "John is uniquely qualified to lead our e-commerce business with a proven track record as a premier merchant and leader. His rich background includes over 15 years in the toy and juvenile industry in the U.S. and Europe." This appointment comes a little more than a month after expected CEO Bob Moog stepped down due to prior commitments and business differences.

     The Democratic National Committee and the Democratic community as a whole lost a key member and supporter when Dan Dutko, 54, a major Democratic fundraiser died last Tuesday from head injuries he suffered in a mountain biking accident in Aspen. Dutko was from Chevy Chase, MD, and was attending a Democratic fundraiser in Aspen, which was also being attended by President Clinton, on Saturday. Dutko was co-chairman of the DNC's top finance committee called Leadership 2000,and also founding partner and chairman of The Dutko Group, a lobbying firm based in Washington, DC. He also held several other high level political positions. President Clinton said in a statement that Dutko "enriched our lives with his enthusiasm and served his country with distinction." According to reports, Dutko and some friends were riding mountain bikes when he lost control and struck the pavement with his head.

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