Obama's IT Guru Returns to Work

The reputed tech-savvy BlackBerry-addict is preparing to roll out his technology masterplan.

Obama wants to overhaul the U.S. health care system by allocating $10 billion a year over five years to build an electronic medical record system. Other planks of the strategy include making government data easily accessible online, making the research and development tax credit permanent and extending broadband access to all Americans.

Kundra's specific role is to direct policy and planning for federal IT investments, oversee federal tech spending and ensure information security and privacy across government.

Based in the White House, Kundra will work closely with Obama's yet-to-be-named government CTO, a possibly cabinet-level role which has been described as the world's most powerful geek.

Prior to becoming Washington, D.C.'s CTO, Kundra worked as assistant secretary of commerce and technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first dual cabinet role in the state's history.

The University of Maryland graduate has also served as vice president of marketing for identity management specialist Evincible Software and as CEO of Creostar, where he advised clients in government and industry on IT governance and strategy.

Citing someone familiar with the situation, the New York Times reports that Kundra had disclosed the youthful arrest to the White House and to all of his previous employers.