Could Balutis become Obama's CTO?

Could Alan Balutis be one of the names President-elect Barack Obama is considering for the chief technology officer spot?

To date, speculation has centered on technology superstars, such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates. But Forbes.com reported last week that Balutis, the first chief information officer at the Commerce Department, is also on the list of contenders. Government Computer News Editor Wyatt Kash contacted Balutis about the report, but Balutis declined to comment.

Forbes identifed some other former feds as also possible picks:

-- Bob Gourley, former CTO at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

-- Dawn Meyerriecks, former CTO of the Defense Information Systems Agency.

-- Harry Raduege Jr., former director of DISA.