FCW Insider: Is Chenok an Obama pick?

We have no idea who president-elect Barack Obama is considering to fill the new federal chief technology officer role that he has pledged to create.

We do know that Dan Chenok, former branch chief for information policy and technology in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), had to withdraw suddenly from an upcoming seminar for reasons he couldn't disclose. Some sources tell us he's been asked to stay out of the public eye for now.

Chenok, now senior vice president and general manager of Pragmatics, could not be reached for comment. Actually, he is probably not a likely CTO pick, with his policy background. But generally, when affable and talkative former federal officials suddenly need to stay quiet for a bit right as a new president is moving into the Oval Office, there's a reason that goes beyond sudden shyness.