Commerce tech slots filled

Commerce Department's Technology Administration

President Bush has named two experienced government employees to fill important slots in the Commerce Department's Technology Administration.

Michelle O'Neill replaces Ben Wu as deputy undersecretary for technology. Bush recently nominated Wu to become assistant commerce secretary for technology policy, and Wu awaits confirmation. Additionally, Bush will name Daniel Caprio Jr. as deputy assistant secretary for technology policy. He replaces Chris Israel, who is now deputy chief of staff to Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

O'Neill "is a 17-year veteran of the Commerce Department who has served superbly in her capacity as deputy assistant secretary for Information Technology Industries at the International Trade Administration," said Phil Bond, undersecretary of commerce for technology in a prepared statement.

Within Commerce, O'Neill also served as chief of staff to the undersecretary for international trade and the commercial attaché to the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

During the past six years in the Federal Trade Commission, Caprio was special assistant, chief of staff and principal technology policy advisor to FTC Commissioner Orson Swindle. During President Reagan's administration, Caprio served at Commerce's Economic Development Administration and has also worked for several senators and congressmen.

"Dan is well known by industry and has demonstrated an ability to forge alliances and build coalitions in developing policies relating to cybersecurity, privacy and global electronic commerce," Bond said. "His background and expertise will allow us to develop new strategies for innovation and competitiveness."

The Technology Administration is the principal resource to support Evans in developing policies that science and technology to propel the economy.