President Names National CIO

President Obama has named Vivek Kundra, until today the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the District of Columbia, as the nation's Chief Information Officer (CIO). It is an appointment that had been considered likely since the days of the transition, when Mr. Kundra was a leading technology adviser.

According to the White House news release, the CIO "directs the policy and strategic planning of federal information technology investments and is responsible for oversight of federal technology spending." Mr. Kundra will lead the implementation of the President's Technology agenda:

President Obama said, "Vivek Kundra will bring a depth of experience in the technology arena and a commitment to lowering the cost of government operations to this position. I have directed him to work to ensure that we are using the spirit of American innovation and the power of technology to improve performance and lower the cost of government operations. As Chief Information Officer, he will play a key role in making sure our government is running in the most secure, open, and efficient way possible."

Vivek Kundra’s tireless work in Washington DC government shouldn't go unnoticed. He was a strong advocate for making the District of Columbia’s geospatial data more accessible within the government and to the public. DC is a small and densely populated geographic area which has a wealth of geospatial data; that is not the case nationwide.

It will be interesting to see how Mr. Kundra approaches geospatial data and issues at the national level. Observers are already asking if he might assume a role on the Federal Geographic Data Committee or appoint a Geographic Information Officer within the Office of Management and Budget.

"NSGIC looks forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Kundra," Said NSGIC President Learon Dalby, of Arkansas. "No doubt his forward-thinking will aid in moving national geospatial efforts forward."