In what’s becoming an almost weekly event, the White House announced another new technology position in the West Wing and another industry veteran to fill it.
The administration announced Tuesday that former Twitter executive Jason Goldman will become the government’s first chief digital officer. His official start date is April 6.
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Goldman will lead the Office of Digital Strategy, focused on creating “more meaningful online engagement between government and American citizens,” he said in a post on Medium .
In the blog post, Goldman outlined his view of government — “civic engagement with our government is our right and duty” — and the Internet’s role in making that engagement possible.
“A few months ago I started talking with folks at the White House about ways that the administration could engage directly with people using online platforms,” he wrote. “I didn’t expect to be offered a job, but when I was asked if I could come to Washington, D.C. and work on strategies to connect the government with citizens via the Internet, I said yes. It’s an honor and an incredible challenge.”
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In his post, Goldman said he is still forming his ideas but that one focus will be helping the administration connect with citizens, rather than just talking at them.
“Broadcasting isn’t the same as connecting,” he wrote. “Broadcasting can create awareness. But connecting people can create engagement and change.”
Goldman first met the president during a two-week engagement project at the White House, according to a senior official, and made a significant impression.
“As the first-ever chief digital officer at the White House, Jason Goldman brings new energy and coveted expertise as someone who’s helped shape the digital age,” President Obama said Tuesday. “Our mission is to use every single tool available to ensure that all Americans can contribute to and benefit from our American resurgence.”
Prior to joining the White House, Goldman worked as a product manager at Google developing the Blogger platform and later served as the first vice president of product at Twitter.
Along with his significant tech experience, Goldman holds a bachelors in astrophysics from Princeton University.
