Bush Appoints Venture Capitalist as Technology Adviser

Silicon Valley venture capitalist Floyd Kvamme, a Republican activist, has been named cochair of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Kvamme is a partner at the Menlo Park, California, high-tech firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and takes over the job held in the Clinton administration by John Young, former president of Hewlett-Packard.

Kvamme, who holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, was described as “one of the most visionary venture capitalists in Silicon Valley” by a White House spokesperson. Kvamme is currently on the board of directors of seven high-tech companies, and is the chairman of the Washington-based Empower America, a conservative advocacy group. Early in his career he worked for National Semiconductor and Apple Computer.

During Bush’s presidential run, Kvamme served as a leader of the campaign’s High Tech Advisory Committee and he and his wife, Jean, contributed $243 000 to Republican candidates and committees during the 2000 elections.

President Bush announced Kvamme’s appointment on 28 March during a White House meeting with more than 100 technology industry executives. “Science and technology have never been more essential to the defense of the nation and the health of our economy,” Bush told the executives as he announced Kvamme’s appointment. “I will hear the best scientific and technological advice from leaders in your field. And I can think of no better coordinator than Floyd.”

While Kvamme’s position in PCAST will keep the president in touch with the technology industry, the other cochair is held by the science adviser, who serves as the link to the basic sciences. As of early April, that position, previously held by Neal Lane, remained unfilled.