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Harter: From Cyber Music To Cyber Security
Peter Harter has left his job as vice president of global public policy and standards at EMusic.com to become vice president of Internet protection and policy for Securify, a cybersecurity firm started by his former Netscape Communications colleague Taher Elgamal. Elgamal started Securify in 1998 and has been expanding as calls to boost the security of computer networks increase. "I wasn't looking to leave. But I decided this was a great opportunity," Harter said in a phone interview between travels in Europe. "That a start up is hiring a lobbyist early on in its formation demonstrates that slowly Silicon Valley and high tech are realizing that public policy is a strategic tool and that government does shape the business environment," he added. EMusic has been struggling this year, along with the others in the digital music industry to reassure investors that it is a business that can turn a profit. The recording and music industry has mostly resisted putting most big labels and well known artists on the Internet over piracy fears. Prior to EMusic, Harter handled legal issues for Netscape.
Intel has named Sue Richard as press relations manager for its Washington, DC, government affairs office. Richard will oversee the company's press relations activities in DC and act as a spokeswoman on public policy issues. Prior to joining Intel, Richard was vice president at Dittus Communications, a high-tech communications firm in Washington. Before Dittus, she was vice president of communications for the Personal Communications Industry Association. She also served as associate administrator for public affairs at NASA during the Bush administration and as director of media relations for former President Ronald Reagan.
David Putnam left his job at the Japanese office within the U.S. Trade Representative to start up a firm, Regulatory Access, that is putting Federal Communications Commission documents online. Though the FCC is grappling with 21st century policy items like high-speed Internet and wireless spectrum, the agency still processes most of its documents on paper. "The process of locating documents in the FCC library is a nightmare, Putnam said, "It's the worst place." But the library is a mine full of interesting financial information, particularly about foreign or closely-held companies that are seeking licenses to operate in the United States. Companies are required to disclose detailed financial information to the FCC that not even the Securities and Exchange Commission collects, providing a high level of financial transparency. "There is lot of information there that is only really accessed by the real inside-the-Beltway crew," which will now be available online through Putnam's Web site, FCCFilings.com, he said.
The Software & Information Industry Association(SIIA) hired Mark Bohannon to become its general counsel and vice president of government affairs. Bohannon joins SIIA after serving more than seven years as a senior official at the Commerce Department. Bohannon will direct SIIA's domestic and international public policy initiatives. At Commerce, Bohannon was chief counsel for technology and counselor to the under secretary. He helped shape technology, electronic commerce and innovation policies. In this role, he provided counsel to the secretary on a broad array of technology, trade, intellectual property and competitiveness initiatives, and served as a member of negotiating teams on several international trade agreements. Prior to Commerce, Bohannon held leadership positions in national and grassroots campaigns at the Democratic National Committee and Fund for a Democratic Majority.
Sen. Spencer Abraham, R-MI, raised $100,000 for his re-election campaign in Silicon Valley on June 26 at a briefing organized by Silicon Valley's lobbying group, TechNet. Abraham's campaign said the tech community strongly supports Abraham, who is facing a tough re-election fight against Rep. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI. Because TechNet, as a policy, only gives to incumbent candidates that have supported high-tech issues, the lobbying group is not organizing fundraisers for Stabenow. Those who attended the briefing include executives from Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers, Hewlett-Packard, Cypress Semiconductor, Cisco Systems, eBay and 3Com. Abraham has led the charge in Congress on legislation regarding digital signatures and increasing the cap on H-1B visas.
The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) has hired Christine DeVaux as its new director of technology policy. "Christine is a welcome addition to our team. Her experience and background in international issues will enable her to play a significant role in advancing our domestic and international technology policy agenda," said ITI president Rhett Dawson. DeVaux comes to ITI from the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). At NIST, she served as an industry economist coordinating all standards related activities with agencies in Asia and the Middle East. Prior to her work at NIST, she was a Latin American development specialist at the Organization of American States. DeVaux is replacing John Godfrey who was promoted to senior director for technology policy earlier this year.
Michael Rubin has been promoted to vice president of government relations at the United States Telecom Association (USTA). Rubin joined the group in 1998 as director of government relations, in his new role as vice president, he will lead USTA's policy initiatives on Capitol Hill as well as represent the interests of local telephone exchange carriers to legislative groups. "Michael has done a great job as acting vice president over the past several months, and we are thrilled that he will continue in this role on a permanent basis," said Roy Neel, president and CEO of USTA. Prior to coming to USTA, Rubin was the legislative director for Sen. Sam Brownback, R-KS, and a senior analyst for the majority staff of the House Budget Committee.
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced the appointment of Joseph Farrell as deputy assistant attorney general for economic analysis. Farrell replaces Timothy Bresnahan, who returned to Stanford University to teach in the department of economics. In his new post, Farrell will supervise economic analysis within the antitrust division and will direct the division’s Economic Analysis Group. Farrell, is a professor at The University of California-Berkeley and MIT and former chief economist for the Federal Communications Commission, earned high praise from division head, Joel Klein. "Professor Farrell is a leading scholar in economics who has extensive experience with issues of central importance to the division," Klein said. "His talents and expertise will assist substantially in ensuring that American markets remain free and open."
The Internet Policy Institute has hired Maura Colleton as vice president of communications and public policy to oversee the development of public policy, political outreach and public relations. Colleton's job will be to further solidify IPI’s position as the nation’s first Internet think tank focused on long term research, analysis and education. "IPI is attracting and gathering the industry's best to ensure we are 'the' reliable, independent go-to resource for Internet policy, and Maura Colleton is a valuable addition to the team," said IPI President Kimberly Jenkins. Previously, Colleton was senior Internet policy advisor at MCI Worldcom, where she played a key role in shaping and managing Internet policy issues during, the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
George magazine and The Hill newspaper have both fingered the race for California’s 15th district seat in the House as one of the top 10 in national importance. Republican Jim Cunneen’s bid to succeed Tom Campbell, R, has been described as "new economy meets old-fashioned politicking" in George, making reference to the high-tech community’s support of Cunneen. "This race has already gained a great deal of national attention," Cunneen said in a statement. "The voters… have a clear choice between a partisan, old economy Big Labor Democrat and a New Economy independent-thinking Republican."
George Newstrom was appointed the chairman of the World Information and Services Alliance during the World Congress on Information Technology in Taipei in June. Newstrom replaced Robert Laurence, who served as chairman of the alliance for eight years. "I am delighted to receive this opportunity to serve the global IT industry," Newstrom said. "I believe that when governments, business and consumers work together, we can create a better world through the use of information technology."
Susan Eid has been named as legal counsel for Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Powell. Eid replaces Marsha McBride, who is leaving to join Walt Disney. "While I am sad to lose Marsha, I am tremendously pleased Susan is joining my office to assist me with the myriad of difficult and challenging digital broadcast and cable issues that are sure to confront the Commission," Powell said. As legal counsel, Eid will address mass media and cable television issues. Her last position was vice president of federal relations for MediaOne.
Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes has tabbed Larry Singer to be the first executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority as well as the state’s chief information officer. The GTA, under Singer’s direction, will "work with high technology firms, government agencies, and universities to make government services available online from the communities where people live," according to a statement. Singer’s previous experience includes a research fellowship at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, an executive position at Texas Instruments in Dallas and his current position as president of Public Interest Breakthroughs. His nomination must to be confirmed by the members of the Georgia Technology Authority at its meeting on July 17.
Willard Tom will be joining the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius as a partner in the firm’s Antitrust Practice Group. Tom’s work experience includes his most recent posting as the deputy director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition, where he was responsible for antitrust enforcement and merger reviews. Prior to that Tom worked in the Justice Department as counselor to the assistant attorney general in the department’s Antitrust Division. "We’re delighted to have Will Tom join us," said Stephen Paul Mahinka, the firm’s Antitrust Practice manager, "His depth and breadth of experience, especially in competition issues deriving from the new economy, and in mergers and joint ventures, strengthen our antitrust practice."
The presidential campaign for Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign has hired Cindy Wall as national director for women's outreach. Prior to joining the campaign, Wall ran her own communications firm and started an e-mail campaign called "Winning Difference" to build a network of women interested in Democratic policy issues. Prior to moving to Nashville in 1995, Wall was vice president and senior producer/writer with Squier-Knapp-Ochs Communications, a political media firm in Washington, DC.
 | - by Bara Vaida |
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