Google Goes To Washington

Getting its fingers in a few more pies, Google will be sending its CEO Eric Schmidt to Washington this summer as he joins national think tank the New America Federation. Schmidt will become chairman of the organization effective June 1. The position of chairman at the New America Federation is unpaid (not that Schmidt needs the change from his couch, much less another paycheck).

Schmidt has been active with the board of the New America Federation since it began in 1999, and he will become its second chairman. The first chairman was James Fallows, correspondent for the The Atlantic Monthly. Schmidt is expected to help direct the foundation's digital think tank relating to getting the word out about its work.

Other new arrivals to positions at New America Federation include new president and chief executive, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Steve Coll. Former chairman James Fallows will remain active on the board. The foundation has 75 staff members and 25 fellows.

The Washington based think tank has an operating budget of $13.5 million dollars annually. They handle policy issues including foreign policy, trade, economic initiatives, technology, telecommunications and more. The foundation was a key supporter of the concept behind using unused and unlicensed airwaves for high speed internet and opening up a portion of the spectrum for consumer cell phone use, an issue recently in the news.

Other board members of the New America Federation include Frances Fukuyama, professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University; Bernard L Schwartz, former chairman of Lorel Space & Communications, and Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek International editor. The board has 17 members. Schmidt also has a California foundation, owned with his family, that champions renewable energy sources and other environmental issues.

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Updated 2/8/08 12:23 AM to fix broken links