REDMOND, Wash. – April 27, 2009 – The White House today announced that it has named Craig Mundie, Microsoft Corp.’s chief research and strategy officer, to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a group of business, academic and nonprofit leaders that will counsel the Obama administration on science and technology policy.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to advise President Obama and Vice President Biden on science and technology policy,” Mundie said. “I look forward to working with other members of the council to determine how science and technology can help address some of the nation’s biggest challenges.”
Mundie is responsible for directing Microsoft’s long-term technology strategy. He oversees Microsoft Research and the company’s health and education businesses, as well as emerging business areas such as robotics and energy. He joined Microsoft in 1992, and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in information theory and computer science from Georgia Tech.
Mundie has worked with government and policy leaders around the world on technology policy, regulation and standards. In 2000, President Clinton named Mundie to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, and in 2002, he joined the Task Force on National Security in the Information Age. Since February 2002, Mundie has also been a member of the nonpartisan Council on Foreign Relations.
Mundie is one of 20 PCAST appointees announced today. The complete council membership can be found in the White House announcement of PCAST appointments.
PCAST was originally established by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. It follows a tradition of presidential advisory panels on science and technology dating back to the Truman administration. Its purpose is to provide advice from the private sector and academic community on important issues relative to technology, scientific research, math and science education, and other topics of national concern. As a private-sector advisory committee, its recommendations do not constitute administration policy, but rather advice to the president.