Most high-tech professionals haven't heard his name before, but soon, many will be talking about Aneesh Chopra, the latest appointment to the Obama administration, as the federal Chief Technology Officer. After months of speculation, Chopra, announced by the president on Saturday, is on the job. Chopra is known as being intelligent, engaging, and effective. Having served as Secretary of Technology for the State of Virginia since 2003, his focus has been on statewide technology strategy, government form, and technology-related economic development, all of which apply directly to the …

During Barack Obamaâ''s candidacy, his understanding of and commitment to technology attracted many technology professionals. Groups like Tech for Obama rallied around him, emphasizing that his comfort with his Mac laptop and his attachment to his Blackberry would be assets to a president, and that his knowledge of technology's importance in addressing the world's problems would help make him a strong leader. Obama made these supporters even happier when he promised to appoint the first U.S. CTO, a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the country to focus on technical and science issues, much like a corporate CTO. Obama described the …