10 contenders (and one long shot) for Obama's CTO

18.11.2008
Bill Clinton famously sent just two emails during his entire eight years as president. George W. Bush has preferred radio addresses to communicate with the American people. President-elect Barack Obama, on the other hand, and their potential to connect constituents and even change the way the U.S. government does business. During the campaign, Obama to help improve the sprawling federal technology infrastructure and associated policies. Already there is a great deal of speculation about who might get the CTO job. In the following pages, we've profiled some of the people who have been floated as potential candidates. Despite the fact that the list is heavily weighted toward West Coast technology entrepreneurs, it gives some fascinating insights into the heroes of the software and Internet industries. A few of the names will undoubtedly surprise you, including one well-known long shot appearing at the end of the list.

Bill Gates

Microsoft's co-founder and former CEO has experience building and running a large technology organization, and through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has demonstrated interests in using technology to improve healthcare and education. Nevertheless, Industry Standard for CTO.

Julius Genachowski

One of Obama's former colleagues from the Harvard Law Review, Genachowski two FCC chairmen during the Clinton administration. In recent years, he founded a startup incubator and has helped the president-elect formulate technology policy as a senator. Genachowski now advises the transition team on the CTO decision.

Eric Schmidt