In his weekly address to Americans on April 18, President Obama pledged to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of government operations by examining every program and dollar of spending to ensure that “taxpayers are getting their money’s worth.” To that end, Obama announced that Aneesh Chopra, Virginia’s Secretary of Technology, will serve as the nation’s Chief Technology Officer. Chopra is charged with advancing technological innovations to reduce health care costs as well as to create jobs and for homeland security. Chopra has previously worked as managing director of the Advisory Board Company, leading the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives. Chopra, said the president, will work closely with Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra to set technology policy across government and to use technology to “improve security, ensure transparency, and lower costs. The goal is to give all Americans a voice in their government and ensure that they know exactly how we’re spending their money--and can hold us accountable for the results,” says Obama.
The President also announced that Jeffrey Zients will serve as Chief Performance Officer and Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget to “streamline processes, cut costs, and find the best practices throughout the government.” Zients formerly was CEO and chairman of the Advisory Board Company and chairman of the Corporate Executive Board. Currently he is the founder and managing partner of Portfolio Logic, an investment firm focused on business and health care service companies.
Read the announcement.
