Obama Names First-Ever Federal Tech Czar

There’s a new czar in the house – the White House, that is. President Barack Obama today fulfilled a campaign pledge to create a new federal chief information officer position by appointing 34-year-old Vivek Kundra as the person to head that post.

Kundra has been working as CTO for the District of Columbia; he also served as an adviser on Obama’s transition team.

Many people thought Google co-founder Eric Schmidt was in line for the job but Schmidt consistently said he wouldn’t take the job if it was offered.

Kundra is tasked with overseeing how government agencies buy and use technology. He’ll also control the related spending, and ensure agencies’ networks interoperate while remaining secure.