Chopra becomes federal CTO

The Senate has confirmed Aneesh Chopra as federal chief technology officer and an associate director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, today’s Congressional Record notes.

Chopra was confirmed May 21 by unanimous consent. He currently serves as Virginia’s secretary of technology.

As CTO, Chopra will promote technological innovation to help with President Barack Obama’s goals for job creation, reducing health care costs and improving security, according to White House officials. Chopra will work with Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra on government efficiency and transparency issues, officials said.

During Chopra’s Senate confirmation hearing, he proposed using information technology to reduce health care costs and to optimize the nation's electricity grid.