Benjamin H. Wu, J.D.
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology
U.S. Department of Commerce

Mr. Ben Wu was sworn in as Deputy Under Secretary for Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce on November 6, 2001. In this capacity, he supervises policy development, direction, and management at the Technology Administration (TA), a bureau of over 4,000 employees that includes the Office of Technology Policy (OTP), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

TA serves as the principal resource to support Commerce Secretary Don Evans in developing policies to maximize science and technology's contribution to America's economic growth. Some of Mr. Wu’s priorities have included supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, strengthening U.S. technology cooperation with other countries, enhancing research and development in our nation’s federal laboratory systems, and creating greater collaboration between government, industry, and universities. Mr. Wu also participates in activities with the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), a Cabinet-level council established by the President to coordinate science, space, and technology policy within the Federal research and development enterprise, and is the Executive Secretary for the NSTC Committee on Technology.

Prior to joining Commerce, Mr. Wu held senior staff positions in the U.S. Congress where he led on issues affecting United States technology and competitiveness policy. He worked in Congress from 1988, having served as Counsel to Congresswoman Constance A. Morella of Maryland and on the Science Committee, first serving on the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee staff in 1993 and then on the Technology Subcommittee from 1995 until his current appointment.

Mr. Wu has extensive experience focusing on information technology, biomedical technology, and technology transfer policy. He was the primary congressional staff on legislation affecting federal intellectual property and federal technology transfer. Additionally, Mr. Wu has worked on Technology Administration issues since TA's inception in 1989, with particular emphasis on NIST. He was also the most senior member and the lead Committee staff of the House Y2K Task Force that directed congressional efforts to correct the Year 2000 computer problem.

Mr. Wu received a Bachelor of Arts from New York University in 1985 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988.

Source: http://www.technology.gov/DepUnderSec.htm