Aneesh Chopra
Encyclopedia
Aneesh Paul Chopra is the first Federal Chief Technology Officer of the United States
(CTO).
Chopra previously served as Virginia
’s fourth Secretary of Technology. Prior to his government service, Chopra was Managing Director for the Advisory Board Company, a health care think tank for hospitals and health systems. While there, he led the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives.
, New Jersey
, the eldest son of Indian
immigrants Ram and Neelam Chopra. He grew up in West Windsor
, New Jersey
, also known as Princeton Junction, New Jersey
, and attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
from 1986-1990. In 2009, Chopra was awarded the Alumni Achiever Award by the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
. Chopra graduated with his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University
, and his M.P.P.
from the John F. Kennedy School of Government
at Harvard University
.
He was elected as a Boys Nation Senator to represent American Legion Jersey Boys State in 1989.
On announcing Chopra's nomination, President Obama outlined his aims for the CTO. "As Chief Technology Officer, Chopra's job will be to promote technological innovation to help the country meet its goals such as job creation, reducing health care costs, and protecting the homeland. Together with Chief Information Officer
Vivek Kundra
, their jobs are to make the government more effective, efficient, and transparent." Chopra's appointment was confirmed by the Senate on May 21, 2009.
On the December 9, 2009 episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Chopra was featured in a segment in which a series of video clips were shown of him laughing as he went through an explanation of the Open Government Initiative
. During the segment, host Jon Stewart
referred to Chopra as the "Indian George Clooney
."
Chief Technology Officer of the United States
The Chief Technology Officer of the United States , formally known as the Assistant to the President, Associate Director for the Office of Science and Technology Policy is a position created within the Office of Science and Technology Policy by President Barack Obama...
(CTO).
Chopra previously served as Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
’s fourth Secretary of Technology. Prior to his government service, Chopra was Managing Director for the Advisory Board Company, a health care think tank for hospitals and health systems. While there, he led the firm’s Financial Leadership Council and the Working Council for Health Plan Executives.
Background
He was born in 1972 in TrentonTrenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, the eldest son of Indian
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
A Non-Resident Indian is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, a person of Indian origin who is born outside India, or a person of Indian origin who resides permanently outside India. Other terms with the same meaning are overseas Indian and expatriate Indian...
immigrants Ram and Neelam Chopra. He grew up in West Windsor
West Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, also known as Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Princeton Junction is also a New Jersey Transit and Amtrak station on the Northeast Corridor line.Princeton Junction is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within West Windsor Township, in Mercer County, New Jersey...
, and attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Princeton Junction in Mercer County, New Jersey, serving students in Grades 9 through 12...
from 1986-1990. In 2009, Chopra was awarded the Alumni Achiever Award by the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is a regional school district in New Jersey, serving students from West Windsor Township and Plainsboro Township ....
. Chopra graduated with his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, and his M.P.P.
Master of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...
from the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
He was elected as a Boys Nation Senator to represent American Legion Jersey Boys State in 1989.
On announcing Chopra's nomination, President Obama outlined his aims for the CTO. "As Chief Technology Officer, Chopra's job will be to promote technological innovation to help the country meet its goals such as job creation, reducing health care costs, and protecting the homeland. Together with Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer of the United States
The Federal Chief Information Officer is the administrator of the Office of Electronic Government, which in turn is part of the Office of Management and Budget. The position is appointed by the President and does not require senate confirmation. It was created by the E-Government Act of 2002.Vivek...
Vivek Kundra
Vivek Kundra
Vivek Kundra served as the 1st Chief Information Officer of the United States from March, 2009 to August, 2011 under President Barack Obama. He is currently a visiting Fellow at Harvard University.He previously served in D.C...
, their jobs are to make the government more effective, efficient, and transparent." Chopra's appointment was confirmed by the Senate on May 21, 2009.
On the December 9, 2009 episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Chopra was featured in a segment in which a series of video clips were shown of him laughing as he went through an explanation of the Open Government Initiative
Open Government Initiative
The Open Government Initiative is an effort by the administration of President of the United States Barack Obama to "creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government." . The directive starting this initiative was issued on January 20, 2009, Obama's first day in office.The philosophy of the...
. During the segment, host Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
referred to Chopra as the "Indian George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
."
External links
- Biography at the Office of Science and Technology PolicyOffice of Science and Technology PolicyThe Office of Science and Technology Policy is an office in the Executive Office of the President , established by Congress on May 11, 1976, with a broad mandate to advise the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.The director of this office is...
- andrewnoyes.net clips
- Video of a talk by Aneesh Chopra at the Churchill Club (via FORA.tvFORA.tvFORA.tv, Inc. runs a website that gathers a large collection of unmediated video drawn from live events, lectures, and debates at universities, think tanks and conferences....
) in August, 2009 - Video of a talk by Aneesh Chopra at TiETiETiE is a global nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship. TiE has 54 chapters in 13 countries, with a total membership exceeding 13,000. TiE is most closely affiliated with the South Asian business community, and is recognized as an important networking forum for entrepreneurs and investors...
Silicon Valley, on September 19, 2009 - Aneesh Chopra Keynote at Health 2.0, SF 2009
- IEEE Spectrum: An Interview with America's First CTO