Megan Smith, former Google executive, has been named the next U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Assistant to the President.

Megan Smith Named New Chief Technology Officer

Smith isn’t the only Silicon Valley vet heading to Washington. President Obama also recruited former Twitter lawyer Alexander Macgillivray to act as deputy U.S. CTO.

“Megan has spent her career leading talented teams and taking cutting-edge technology and innovation initiatives from concept to design to deployment. I am confident that in her new role as America’s Chief Technology Officer, she will put her long record of leadership and exceptional skills to work on behalf of the American people. I am grateful for her commitment to serve and I look forward to working with her and with our new Deputy U.S. CTO, Alexander Macgillivray, in the weeks and months ahead,” Obama said in a statement.

Smith is expected to bring more innovative energy to the government position, created by Obama when he first arrived in office in 2009. Smith currently works as vice president of Google[x], which focuses on developing “next-generation projects." Smith also has a history of trying to diversify those working in the technology field.

According to the White House blog, Smith will be working with the President to “guide the Administration’s information-technology policy and initiatives, continuing the work of her predecessors to accelerate attainment of the benefits of advanced information and communication technologies across every sector of the economy and aspect of human well-being.”

In contrast, Macgillivray will focus solely on policy.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.