Intel CEO Paul Otellini, MBA 74, has accepted an invitation from the Task Force on American Innovation to serve as its new chair, charged with advocating for more federal investment in science and engineering research.
The task force, founded in 2004, is an alliance of America's most innovative companies, leading research universities, and major scientific societies.
As chair of the group, Otellini will visit Washington periodically to participate in events and meet with members of Congress, administration officials, and others to highlight the importance of federal funding of basic research as well as education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Intel is an active member of the task force, along with a number of other high-tech firms.
“Paul Otellini understands that strengthening our national commitment to basic research in the physical sciences is indispensable to the advances we need to keep the United States the unquestioned global leader in technology,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau. “Intel has provided leadership on this issue for a number of years, and the research university community appreciates that Mr. Otellini is going to continue that leadership by chairing the Task Force on American Innovation.”
Dean Rich Lyons added, “Paul personifies the innovative leader profile that we are known for. Less obvious is that he rose at Intel through his initial roles in marketing, which shows just how widely he can think about how new ideas get put to work.”
Otellini became Intel’s fifth CEO on May 18, 2005, succeeding Craig R. Barrett. Otellini previously served as Intel's president and chief operating officer, positions he held since 2002, the same year he was elected to Intel's board of directors. Otellini was named the Haas School's 2006 Business Leader of the Year.