Media inquiries to the Washington office of California Rep. Christopher Cox, R, can be directed to newly appointed Fraser Zimmerman. As press secretary, Zimmerman will be responsible for all of Cox's local, national and state media events as well as producing the congressman's half-hour cable television show, Washington Report. Zimmerman was Cox's legislative assistant handling health care, finance, education and judicial matters.

     Head honchos of the two most talked about companies in the media and high-tech industries are slated to attend a tech-centric conference hosted by the Democratic Caucus. On Feb. 7, America Online's Steve Case and Time Warner's Gerald Levin will attend the event, discussing the new economy and its effect on families in the United States.

     The expected marriage of America Online and Time Warner has caused Thomas Middelhoff, chairman and CEO of European media giant Bertelsmann, to step down from AOL's board of directors. "As a result of the merger with Time Warner, a competitor of Bertelsmann, it's inappropriate for me to continue as a member of the AOL Board," Middelhoff said in a statement. Bertelsmann and AOL joined forces in 1995 to form AOL Europe. AOL's Vice Chairman Kenneth J. Novack will replace Middelhoff on the board.

     Commerce Secretary William Daley lauded Time Warner-owned The WB Network for its efforts to encourage children to prepare for work in the digital age. Inspired by the department's Technology Administration's report, "The Digital Work Force: Building Info Tech Skills at the Speed of Innovation" and answering Daley's call to action, The WB Network unveiled a pair of public service announcements urging children to buckle down in the areas of science and technology. "I applaud The WB Network for producing these PSAs," Daley said in a statement. "This is a positive step towards encouraging kids to study math and science and consider technical careers."

     "Bill Bradley's bold approach to the challenges facing our country is similar to the bold approach of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs," said California Rep., Anna Eshoo, D, endorsing the former New Jersey senator. Eshoo made the announcement at the Bradley California delegate caucus in her district. "Anna's endorsement adds to the increasing momentum my campaign is building in California," Bradley said. "She has been a leader on health care, environmental and high-tech issues, and her support means a great deal to me and to my campaign. I am very much looking forward to working with her as we work toward success in California on March 7."

     The American Electronics Association has appointed quite a multitasker as executive director of its Potomac Council. Judith C. Woodward will head up the regional council of top high-tech execs from AEA's member companies. In addition to holding posts at the Society of Behavioral Medicine, the American College of Epidemiology, and the American Evaluation Association, Woodward brings with her experience in areas such as media relations, advocacy, and information technology. Her most recent project involved teaching senior citizens computer skills.

     Ed Gillespie and Jack Quinn of the nascent firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates are the recipients of the 2000 RSA Award in Public Policy for their "outstanding contributions to the application of cryptographic technologies towards the advancement of personal privacy, civil justice and basic human rights." Gillespie and Quinn, executive director and counsel to Americans for Computer Privacy respectively, have been key lobbyists on the Hill when it comes to export encryption reform. "The encryption reform effort was hugely successful because the companies involved stayed focused and united throughout the process, worked side-by-side with privacy advocates, and worked effectively across the political spectrum," said Gillespie as he accepted the award. RSA Security helps organizations create Internet businesses with its encryption tools and systems.

     Network Solutions Inc.'s Chairman Mike Daniels is looking beyond his domain at NSI now that he is serving as a member on SpaceWorks' board. The business-to-business e-commerce software company is looking to use Daniels' 25 years of high-tech experience to its advantage as it attempts to emerge as an industry leader. "As we enter a phase of aggressive growth in response to rapidly increasing market demand, his business development skill and technology industry savvy are the perfect addition to our board," SpaceWorks CEO Dave MacSwain said in a statement.

     "Nice incentives, stock options package and tremendous potential for growth." Those are the reasons that Bradley Belt of the Center for Strategic and International Studies has admittedly caught "dot.com fever." In six months, he will leave the CSIS, where he is senior vice president for policy development, to head the strategic growth division of Northern Virginia Internet start-up FOLIO that will offer financial products online. "It will be completely different. CSIS is nonprofit mode. The institutional strategy will be in a totally different mode," said Belt comparing the two positions. But, he continued to say the process of building and selling concepts is the same regardless of the establishment.

- by Jessica Smith