Home
tech
These 11 political power players are guiding some of tech's biggest companies

These 11 political power players are guiding some of tech's biggest companies

Former Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore joined Apple's board of directors in 2003. He's also a partner at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers.

These 11 political power players are guiding some of tech's biggest companies

Dropbox sparked controversy in 2014 when it was announced that former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice would join its board. In the wake of the Iraq War, anti-war activists actually protested Dropbox's offices over her appointment.

Dropbox sparked controversy in 2014 when it was announced that former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice would join its board. In the wake of the Iraq War, anti-war activists actually protested Dropbox

Also in 2014, former Secretary of State General Colin Powell joined Salesforce's board. This isn't his first go-around: He was on AOL's board in the 1990s before leaving when he became George W. Bush's secretary of state.

Also in 2014, former Secretary of State General Colin Powell joined Salesforce

In early 2015, Amazon hired former President Obama spokesperson Jay Carney to lead its PR efforts — just months before a scandal erupted over the online store's workplace culture.

In early 2015, Amazon hired former President Obama spokesperson Jay Carney to lead its PR efforts — just months before a scandal erupted over the online store

In early 2014, Uber snatched up David Plouffe, President Obama's former campaign manager, to lead its communications efforts. In 2015, he stepped down from that role, but continues to advise the mega-hot transportation startup.

In early 2014, Uber snatched up David Plouffe, President Obama

Caroline Atkinson was a senior adviser to President Barack Obama before joining Google's public policy division earlier this year.

Caroline Atkinson was a senior adviser to President Barack Obama before joining Google

Chris Lehane, nicknamed the "Master of Disaster," is a PR specialist who handled the Monica Lewinsky scandal for the Clinton administration. Now, he leads global policy at the home-sharing startup Airbnb.

Chris Lehane, nicknamed the "Master of Disaster," is a PR specialist who handled the Monica Lewinsky scandal for the Clinton administration. Now, he leads global policy at the home-sharing startup Airbnb.

Ted Ullyot was a deputy assistant to President George W. Bush. In 2008, he joined Facebook as its first general counsel, and recently went to the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz as a partner.

Ted Ullyot was a deputy assistant to President George W. Bush. In 2008, he joined Facebook as its first general counsel, and recently went to the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz as a partner.

Mark Penn was one of Hillary Clinton's campaign strategists in 2008. In 2012, he joined Microsoft, where he came up with the notorious anti-Google "Scroogled" campaign. In 2015, he left to raise his own private equity fund.

Mark Penn was one of Hillary Clinton

Former Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson joined Apple in 2013 to lead their social policy efforts.

Former Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson joined Apple in 2013 to lead their social policy efforts.

Susan Molinari holds a distinction on this list: She was elected to the United States House of Representatives for three terms before she pursued brief careers in journalism and lobbying, before landing at Google to lead the search giant's lobbying efforts in 2012.

Susan Molinari holds a distinction on this list: She was elected to the United States House of Representatives for three terms before she pursued brief careers in journalism and lobbying, before landing at Google to lead the search giant

View Other Slidelists

Advertisement