Sen. Chuck Robb, D-VA, stole the show Friday at a technology forum hosted by CapNet. As the guest speaker, Robb led the discussion on such topics as R&D tax credits, workforce shortages (Robb worked with CapNet on his H-1T visa proposal) and the ways technology can stimulate the economy.
     The forum was held at the offices of Reed, Smith, Hazel and Thomas in Falls Church, VA, and those attending the event included Susan Defife, president and CEO of womenCONNECT.com, Scott Silverthorne and Covad lobbyist Tim Powderly. Representatives from America Online and Dittus Communications were also in attendance.
     Also on CapNet's plate is an educational tour of Northern Virginia companies with Congressional Black Caucus members. The tour has been in the making for a few months, as organizers on both sides hoped to meet before the new millennium. But that was not in the cards, as technology executives and CBC members have had difficulty coordinating their busy schedules, resulting in a post-New Year's tour date. CBC Chairman Rep. James Clyburn, D-SC, continues to work on making the tech tour a reality as soon as possible.
     "He has identified the need to engage the corporate community in a better working relationship with the Caucus," said CBC Policy Director Andrea Martin. "He will often ask do we want headlines or headway. He's a behind the scenes kind of guy and a take charge kind of guy."

     Who keeps whom waiting? Rep. Tom Davis, R-VA, was seen pacing outside a hotel ballroom last Tuesday before a Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce technology breakfast. He said he came to the 7:30 a.m. event so he could catch Federal Communications Commission chief William Kennard before the chairman addressed the Virginia high-tech business community. Davis wouldn't specify what he needed to discuss with Kennard beyond saying that a number of his Northern Virginia constituents have business pending before the FCC. Kennard showed up late and Davis had to wait out the entire breakfast until after the speech to get a word in with the communications chief.

     Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, fresh from a sweeping GOP victory in the Old Dominion's November elections, was elected vice-chair of the Republican Governors Association on Friday. Gilmore, the chair of the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce and an outspoken anti-Internet tax advocate, recently led the GOP's takeover of the state Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. In his new role of vice-chairman, Gilmore will help campaign nationwide in support of Republican gubernatorial candidates and increase his fundraising efforts, RGA spokesmen said. North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer was elected as chairman, a role Gilmore will overtake after his yearlong stint in the second-man spot.

     Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, D-CA, has decided what's good for the East Coast is good for the West Coast. Dipping into her current pool of employees, Lofgren promoted special counsel John Flannery to Washington chief of staff and hired Sandra Soto as her District chief of staff in San Jose. "John has been an invaluable asset over the past year as Special Counsel, particularly on technology issues so important to Silicon Valley as well as during the impeachment proceedings," Lofgren said in a statement. "My office has truly benefited form his extensive legal and legislative experience…on everything from encryption to Y2K." Flannery joined Lofgren's staff last fall after several years of serving as special counsel to the House Education and Work Force Committee, House Judiciary Committee, former Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-OH, and the Senate Labor Committee over a 16 year period. As for Soto, Lofgren expects her to be "a key figure in bridging the gap between neighborhoods in need and Silicon Valley."

     Technology Network Texas corralled a group of high-tech cowboys for another one of its recruitment breakfasts Friday Nov. 12. The event, hosted by Texas Instruments CEO Tom Engibous, drew Sabre General Counsel Andy Steinberg, venture capitalist Steve Papermaster, iSong CEO Guy Hoffman, Austin Ventures principal Brian Goffman, iStation.com CEO George Grayson and about 30 others to discuss the condition of education in the Lone Star state.

     The final chapter in the Justice Department's antitrust case against Microsoft won't necessarily be Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's final ruling. Publisher McGraw-Hill is prepared to release the premiere book on the case the moment the trial is complete, Publishers Weekly reported. In collaboration with The New York Times' book development unit, McGraw-Hill has commissioned the Times' two chief Microsuit correspondents to pen the account. As the trial has unfolded Steve Lohr and Joel Brinkley have been working on the project. But for now the publishers and authors will have to exercise patience and see how the story is going to end before the books are bound.

     It's official. Commerce Secretary William Daley has sworn in Greg Rohde as assistant secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. "Greg Rohde's vast experience in the legislative arena, particularly his significant experience in dealing with telecommunications and technology issues, will decidedly be an asset to me and to the Commerce Department as we work towards the administration's goals of bringing the benefits of Information Technology to all Americans," Daley said in a statement. Formerly the chief policy advisor to Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, Rohde will be responsible for designing policies to stimulate the growth of telecommunications and information industries.

     Clarence Crawford is agency hopping from the Office of Management and Budget to the Patent and Trademark Office. Formerly the OMB's associate director of administration, Crawford has been pegged associate commissioner and chief financial officer at the PTO. Newly-appointed PTO Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Q. Todd Dickinson noted that Crawford's "superlative record of government service" will be of great use to the agency as it faces future challenges. While at the OMB, Crawford was the key advisor to OMB Director Jacob Lew on internal management issues and working on such programs as the budget and information technology. Crawford's road to the PTO has been an interesting one holding a multitude of positions with the General Accounting Office, the Internal Revenue Service and where he began his career as an officer of the law: the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department.

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