Anne Altman, IBM

After two years of leading IBM’s System z business, Anne Altman has been tapped IBM General Manager of the Global Sector. In her new role, which is set to begin Aug. 1, Altman will lead IBM’s global solutions and technology sales for government, education, health care, life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.

Altman says she’s “thrilled” to return to the public sector market during what she calls a unique period of large government recovery and stimulus programs underway in the U.S. and abroad. “I see an opportunity for IBM to continue, as well as broaden, its work with governments and private sector organizations  around the world — at the federal and state and local level, as well as healthcare and education markets –- to modernize national infrastructures and improve the delivery of important services citizens and governments rely on every day,” says Altman.

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You’ve packed your bags, you’re ready for your big trip. But wait, what about a book? Summer and reading go hand in hand. “There’s a temperate zone in the mind … between laziness and labor, that summer reading belongs,” is how someone once put it. So, with summer just around the corner, here’s a round-up of some of the titles that leading executives from around the Beltway will be reading both poolside and at the office:

Anne Altman’s Picks

Anne Altman, IBM

1. Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
   “While I have skimmed Tom Friedman’s most recent book, I intend to read it thoroughly!”
2. Friendly Fire by A.B. Yehoshua
   “Yehoshua is a great Israeli novelist whose characters are so interesting.”
3. Pipeline by Peter Schechter
   “This international thriller came out in March, and it’s definitely on my stack for the summer.”

Mac Curtis’ Picks

Mac Curtis, Vangent

1. The Forever War by Dexter Filkins
   “This book is written by a long-time foreign news correspondent for The New York Times who does a superb job of describing why the United States is fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
2. The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
   “It’s a well-written novel about the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and the nation’s first ‘sin tax’ on whiskey distillers that eventually led to the creation of our federal banking system.”

Bill Dean’s Picks

Bill Dean, MC Dean

1. The Ruin of the Roman Empire by James J. O’Donnell
   “Too many priests and lawyers, not enough barbarians.”
2. Internal Combustion by Edwin Black
   “How different the world might have been — and still could be — if we focus on CO vs. CO2″
3. The Power of Productivity: Wealth, Poverty and the Threat to Global Stability by William W. Lewis
   “The source of all gains in prosperity.”

Joe Doherty’s Picks

Joe Doherty, ACS

1. Beyond Booked Solid, by Michael Port
   “Port advises on big thinking and strategies to take your business to the next level.”
2. There’s No Elevator to the Top by Umesh Ramakrishnan
   “One way to learn from the best, with stories and guidance from successful CEOs on leadership and managing in tough times.”
3. The Strategy Paradox by Michael E. Raynor
   “Does more strategy lead to less success? Raynor looks at handling change and managing risk.”
4. The Bourne Sanction by Eric Van Lustbader
   “Nothing like a cool thriller for a hot summer afternoon. Will Jason Bourne save the day?”

Ted Leonsis’ Picks

Ted Leonsis

1. The Science of Fear by Daniel Gardner
   “We live in a risk managed society, we have irrational fears. You can rise above the noise, face your fears, be brave and prosper. A great read — insightful and informative.”
2. The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb
   “On second thought, be afraid —  be very afraid — nothing you can plan on will happen. Something you don’t even consider will change your world. Stop planning! It doesn’t matter! The end is near — I just don’t know when it is! The sky is falling, the sky is falling …”

Andy Maner’s Picks

Andy Maner, NISC

1. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
   “There is no better subject matter than Abraham Lincoln, his leadership and decision making are a great constant historic companion for executives in any line of work.  She is a detailed storyteller who brings it all to life.”
2. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
   “One of the best books I have read in many years, a life-story for people firmly in the middle age of life. Can get through it in hours and it will make you laugh.”
3. Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz (Alex Rider series)
   “Reading this with my nine-year-old son for a book club. Business books are always a good read, but picking a book to share with a child and talking about it is something you can’t beat!”

Stan Sloane’s Picks

Stan Sloane, SRA

1. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
   “It drives home the point that success is more about hard work than innate talent.”
2. How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer
   “I always like things on how the human brain works and how that’s relevant to business.”
3. For a third recommendation, I’d say look to the classics. Friedman’s books on globalization are interesting to read in view of the current global economic situation.
4. Then there’s the “great” management thinkers and theorists: Taylor, McGregor, Drucker, et al.

Ted Davies’ Picks

Ted Davies, Unisys

1. Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
   “This has been one of the most important business books I have ever read. I continue to come back to it as I encounter new challenges and it helps me to stay focused on what I consider the most important aspect of managing a professional services firm—the people.”
2. The Nature of Leadership by Stephen Covey, Roger Merrill and Dewitt Jones
   “I came across this one because of Dewitt Jones’ inspirational video, ‘Celebrate What’s Right with the World.’ This book, as well as the rest of Jones’ work, helps to remind us … to look for what is best in [one's] team and in [one's] business, while always being realistic about what needs to be done.”
3. The Shack by William P. Young
   “This fascinating book explores spiritual and emotional issues in a unique way.  It really makes you stop and think about things that you might take for granted in your life.”
4. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
   “This one is kind of a beach read by one of my favorite authors.  It’s a compelling story with engaging characters.  You should probably save it for vacation, though, because you won’t want to put it down.”

What would you add to the list? Share your comments here.

Aneesh Chopra has been named the nation’s first chief technology officer. The news was announced Saturday during President Obama’s weekly address. As federal CTO, Chopra will work alongside Jeffrey Zients, the new chief performance officer, and Federal CIO Vivek Kundra, who’s responsible for setting technology policy across the government.

Since he entered public life in January 2006, Chopra has been widely praised for finding innovative ways to leverage technology on behalf of 21st century governance. As Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Chopra has been credited with making the state among the best performing in the nation. In what may signal his approach on the national level, Chopra has utilized technology based upon three pillars: a commitment to open government, an ability to transform the health care system, and a desire to ensure an innovation-powered economic growth strategy.

Collaboration with private sector
Collaboration with the private sector has been a key part of Chopra’s approach to technology on the state level. Thanks to Google’s site map protocols, for example, the site, Virginia.gov, now allows visitors to search for information across all levels of state government. Meanwhile, collaboration with Northrop Grumman has yielded a more robust, modern IT infrastructure for the commonwealth. On the transparency side, the site Virginia Performs provides state residents a scorecard of how their tax dollars are being put to use.

“Our strategy starts with strengthening the quality of our highly skilled workforce, targeting R&D investments in markets that benefit our growing employers, and establishing a robust broadband infrastructure throughout the commonwealth so all may participate,” said Chopra in a 2007 interview with ExecutiveBiz, outlining other aspects of his agenda.

So, what strategy will Chopra employ as federal CTO? Vivek Kundra might offer a few clues on the direction of a federal CIO-CTO partnership when he speaks before Potomac Officers Club on May 5. (Details here.)

What they’re saying

Chopra’s appointment is being met with enthusiastic response from the government contracting community, business leaders, and other industry experts. Here’s what they’re telling ExecutiveBiz:

“The appointment of Aneesh Chopra is in keeping with the new administration’s goal of using technology to transform the way citizen services are delivered and provide transparency to the public on the performance of government. His experience in Virginia leading efforts around health IT to decrease medical costs and improve patient safety, as well as using technology to boost broadband access, illustrates the innovation he will bring to this exciting new role.” — Anne Altman, IBM’s Senior State Executive for Virginia

“With his private sector experience in leading a healthcare strategy consulting company and his educational background in public policy, Aneesh has the experience and talent to play an instrumental role in bringing technology driven efficiencies into much needed public sector healthcare. Streamlining the discrete federal, state, and local healthcare systems in the US by breaking down the information silos will improve health outcomes and services, reduce fraud and abuse, and start the process of overhauling the nation’s healthcare delivery system.” — B. Chatterjee, President, CNSI

“Given everything that he was able to accomplish in Virginia as its CTO, its hard to imagine a better choice for the nation. Government has severely lagged the private sector in its adoption of technology to drive efficiency, productivity, and transparency and these were all things that Aneesh measurably achieved in a short amount of time in the state. It’s the perfect choice.” — Mark Ein

“Aneesh is an excellent choice. He brings both business savvy and technology insight.” — Carly Fiorina, Chair Technology Policy Institute and former CEO of Hewlett Packard

“Oracle applauds the appointment of Aneesh Chopra to the position of CTO for the US Federal Government. Aneesh’s leadership and vision will bring innovation to all aspects of technology and its critical role within government.” — Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President, Oracle Public Sector

“During his tenure as CTO of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Aneesh has consistently shown how the power of technology can strengthen the bonds between state government and its citizens. His experience cuts across government and education – from his leadership on government information-sharing, to citizenship efforts, to wiring Virginia schools and helping train its workforce.  For a national CTO role, that is the type of vision and action the country needs.”
— Curt Kolcun, Microsoft’s Vice President of U.S. Public Sector

“The combination of Aneesh Chopra and Vivek Kundra brings together two thoughtful, energetic IT leaders who have the clear potential of providing real IT leadership for our government.”
— Renny DiPentima, former CEO, SRA

“Aneesh Chopra is a proven technology leader … to help steer our government’s current and future technology investments.  Aneesh will bring a considerable level of intellect, energy, and vision to this position at a critical juncture in our country’s history. Aneesh’s past technology leadership positions within the greater Washington region and as secretary of technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia have positioned him as the best leader to take on this important leadership role.”
— Shiv Krishnan, CEO, INDUS Corporation

“Aneesh Chopra has been a true leader in bringing a visionary approach to the use of technology throughout Virginia. He has been instrumental in promoting public-private partnerships to help bridge the technology gap between government and all of its citizens, while creating jobs. Aneesh has helped create an environment of collaboration and transparency through the Commonwealth which has produced transformational results in key mission critical areas such as health care and other vital services. I am sure he will do the same in his new role as Chief Technology Officer in the Obama Administration.” — Donna Morea, President, CGI, US

“I believe the President made a great choice. Not only did Mr. Chopra serve on the President’s transition team for technology, innovation and government reform prior to the inauguration, but he has also demonstrated in his role as Virginia’s secretary of technology that he is a champion of the web, open systems and technological innovation.” — Dennis Stolkey, senior vice president of U.S. Public Sector at EDS, an HP company.

“Aneesh brings tremendous passion and practical experience in applying technology innovations to dramatically transform operations in the government as well as business sectors. As the CTO, Aneesh will be a great asset not only to the federal government, but the entire country during this critical time. His expertise in key areas such as health care, education, and economic development will provide a fresh perspective in addressing key challenges with innovative ideas.” — Venkatapathi Puvvada (PV), Vice President and Managing Partner at Unisys Federal Systems.

Anne Altman, former Managing Director of IBM’s U.S. Federal Business, has moved to General Manager of the company’s Mainframe Platform Group.

Todd Ramsey has been tapped to head Altman’s former federal slot.

“The managerial changes are part of a yearlong general transformation within IBM, the biggest such realignment in 15 years,” said Lia Davis, an IBM spokeswoman in a recent interview with the Washington Technology.

Earlier this year, Altman gave The Executive Biz Blog her thoughts on the year ahead. “The year will start with a flurry of activity across all major agencies, followed by a slow down in the second half due to election dynamics. IBM will continue working with clients to extend their limited resources by leveraging commercial infrastructure to speed development, reduce costs and risks for mission programs,” Altman said.

While she’s moved out of the federal space, Altman will continue to have an impact on the Washington area business community both in her new role at IBM and at events like the annual Kidney Ball; an event she chaired in 2006.