Vivek Kundra Opens 2011 Online News Association Conference in Boston

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Sep 8, 2011) - The Online News Association, the world's largest membership organization of digital journalists, announces that Vivek Kundra, who served the Obama administration as the first U.S. Chief Information Officer, will open the 2011 conference in Boston with a keynote conversation.

Kundra will be joined Friday, Sept. 23, by Tom Ashbrook, host of 90.9 WBUR's "On Point," in a discussion exploring the impact and implications of cloud computing on journalism and the media industry.

Kundra occupied one of three tech-focused posts the Obama White House created to overhaul the government's use of technology, spearheading an administration effort to streamline the federal government's massive IT infrastructure. After two and a half years as CIO, he is heading to Harvard University, where, as a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society and the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy, his research will focus on the implications of digital media and technology on governance.

The 2011 Online News Association Conference and Awards Banquet, Sept. 22-24, is expected to attract more than 1,100 online journalists from around the world to the Marriott Copley Place in Boston for three days of training, networking and workshops on emerging trends in news and technology, as well as a Career Summit & Job Fair.

As the Federal Chief Information Officer, Kundra directed the policy and strategic planning of federal information technology investments and was responsible for oversight of federal technology spending. He is credited with saving over $3 billion in taxpayer dollars, adopting game-changing technologies in the public sector, strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the nation and launching an open government movement through the data.gov platform, which has been replicated across 21 nations, 29 states, 11 cities and several international organizations. Kundra formerly served in Mayor Fenty's cabinet as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the District of Columbia, responsible for technology operations and strategy for 86 agencies. He has been recognized among the top 25 CTOs in the U.S. and as the 2008 IT Executive of the Year.

Before Kundra came to the District, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine appointed him Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first dual cabinet role in the state's history. Kundra's diverse record also includes technology and public policy experience in private industry and academia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and holds a MS in Information Technology from the University of Maryland.

Ashbrook is an award-winning journalist who joined 90.9 WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station, following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Before arriving at WBUR, he had a distinguished career in newspaper reporting and editing, spent 10 years reporting from Asia, and served as The Boston Globe's deputy managing editor. "On Point," which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, reaches more than 1.3 million listeners each week, is heard on more than 200 radio stations across the country, and ranks as the top-rated podcast for call-in shows produced by an NPR member station.

About ONA
The Online News Association is the world's largest association of online journalists. ONA's mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, bloggers, technologists, photographers, academics, students and others who produce and distribute news for digital delivery systems. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.