TechNet has named Peter Chandler director of federal policy and government relations, tapping a veteran House Democratic staffer as that body prepares to shift from Republican to Democratic control in January.
He will head up the group's advocacy with Democratic policymakers beginning Dec. 5.
Chandler has been chief of staff to Rep. Debbie Dingell, who succeeded her iconic husband, Rep. John Dingell, as a Democratic rep from Michigan and joined the House Energy & Commerce Committee in her second term.
TechNet members are an eclectic group that includes Oracle, Comcast-NBCU, AT&T, Google, Paypal, Microsoft, GM and WGBH TV Boston. The group promotes pro-tech innovation policies in Washington.
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The group has pushed back on President Trump's tech-related tariffs on Chinese goods, for example, and a return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but backed the corporate tax cut and R&D tax credit and other parts of the President's tax reform bill.
It also supports using vacant broadcast spectrum between TV channels for unlicensed use, a big priority for member Microsoft.
"With over two decades of experience in public policy and campaigns, Peter Chandler has cemented himself as a strong leader who knows how to build coalitions and advance policies that improve peoples' lives," said TechNet president Linda Moore. "Peter will be a great asset to TechNet as we work to preserve the tech industry's indispensable role as an engine for job creation, economic growth, and innovative solutions to the world's biggest challenges."
