Washington

President George W. Bush has surprised scientists with the appointment of his first main adviser on science and technology.

Techno speak: Bush anticipates 'good, sound advice' from appointee Floyd Kvamme. Credit: AP

Bush last week named Floyd Kvamme as co-chairman of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Kvamme is an electrical engineer with a management track record in several Silicon Valley corporations, including National Semiconductor and Apple, and is a partner in the venture-capital firm of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in Menlo Park, California. But he is best known in Washington as chairman of the conservative advocacy group Empower America.

Announcing the appointment of Kvamme, Bush said: “He is an entrepreneur. He is a risk taker. He understands risk and reward. But, more importantly, he knows the players, the people who can bring good, sound advice to this administration.”

Bush's decision to appoint Kvamme before filling the post of president's science adviser — who leads the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and will be PCAST's other co-chair — is seen as unusual by some. In addition, the White House did not consult scientific or engineering societies, or the national academies, which like to provide lists of suitable candidates.

“It's most unusual to name a co-chair of PCAST without having the key figures of the OSTP on board,” says Jack Gibbons, who was science adviser to former president Bill Clinton.