On January 6, 1994, Silicon Graphics announced that its president and chief executive officer Edward R. McCracken has agreed to co-chair President Bill Clinton's National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council. McCracken will serve with Delano Lewis, president of National Public Radio, as co-chair of the 28-member advisory panel. The panel is composed of individuals from the public and private sector who will advise the Information Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) on the development of the national information link. As appropriate, the group will advise President Clinton on the development of the data superhighway, the role of the public and private sector, the impact of federal regulations and issues related to privacy and security.
"The applications afforded by the data information superhighway will enhance our quality of life, spur economic growth and create thousands of new jobs and opportunities," said Ronald H. Brown, Secretary of Commerce. "As we work to ensure that America has the information infrastructure we need, we are pleased to have Ed McCracken-an experienced and proven high-technology leader-help provide the vision."McCracken is chief executive at Silicon Graphics, the leading manufacturer of visual computing systems. Founded in 1982, Silicon Graphics is the eighth fastest growing company on the Fortune 500, employing more than 3,800 people worldwide and 2,700 people in the U.S. The company also served as the venue for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore's announcement of the administration's technology policy in the fall."Our nation stands on the brink of a communication revolution-a revolution that will meld a wide variety of technologies to create a whole new way of learning, working and interacting with others," said McCracken. "I am honored to co-chair this effort which will accelerate our move into this exciting new age."
McCracken serves as co-chair of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley, a broad coalition of business, education, government and community leaders brought together to revitalize California's Silicon Valley and create a strong partnership for economic vitality and quality of life. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Computer Systems Policy Project, a coalition of CEOs from 13 leading American computer companies which develops and advocates industry positions on trade and technology policy issues. In addition, McCracken serves on the Board of Directors of Tularik, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company. He received an M.B.A. from Stanford University and a B.S.E.E. from Iowa State University, where he now serves as a Governor of the Iowa State University Foundation.
