OK, I admit It. I have a mancrush on the new Federal CTO, Todd Park by Tim O’Reilly.
Tim waxes on about Todd’s success with startups and what I would call a vendor/startup show, Health Datapalooza. (Does the agenda for Health Datapalooza 2012 look just a little vague to you? Not what I would call a “technical” conference.)
And Tim closes with this suggestion:
I want to put out a request to all my friends in the technology world: if Todd calls you and asks you for help, please take the call, and do whatever he asks.
Since every denizen of K-Street already has Todd’s private cell number on speed dial, the technology community needs to take another tack.
Assuming you don’t already own several members of Congress and/or federal agencies, watch for news of IT issues relevant to your speciality.
Send in one (1) suggestion on a one (1) page letter that clearly summarizes why your proposal is relevant, cost-effective and worthy of further discussion. The brevity will be such a shocker that your suggestion will stand out from the hand cart stuff that pours in from, err, traditional sources.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (No link from the Whitehouse homepage, to keep you from having to hunt for it.) This is where Todd will be working.
Contact page for The Office of Science and Technology (You can attach a document to your message.)
I would copy your representative/senators, particularly if you donate on a regular basis.
Todd’s predecessor is described as having “…inspired and productive three years on the job.” (Todd Park Named New U.S. Chief Technology Officer I wonder if that is what Tim means by “productive?”