Intel names senator's chief of staff as public policy VP

As the coming elections near, Intel has been ramping its government affairs hiring with Peter Cleveland as the latest in a series of additions to the MPU maker's staff in recent weeks.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- Electronic News, 10/9/2008

In its third recent government-related appointment, Intel Corp has named Peter Cleveland, chief of staff to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) since 2006, as its new VP for global public policy and head of the chipmaker's Washington, DC, office.

Prior to his role overseeing Feinstein's office, Cleveland was the senator's legislative director, from 2004 to 2006. He has also served as staff to both the Senate Finance and Foreign Relations committees and as a corporate and government relations attorney for a leading international law firm, according to Intel.

For more on the 2008 elections and the policies impacting the tech sector, see Electronic Business' special technology policy issue.

"Peter Cleveland brings two decades of policy, legislative, regulatory and legal experience to our Washington office," said Bruce Sewell, Intel senior VP and general counsel, in a statement. "He's been involved in the critical policy debates affecting Intel, our industry, and our nation -- from patent reform and international trade to skilled immigration, tax and energy issues. This will enable him to contribute from the first moment as we work with policymakers on these issues and more with the next administration and congress."

As the coming elections near, Intel has been ramping its government affairs hiring with Cleveland as the latest in a series of additions to the MPU maker's staff in recent weeks. Brian Huseman, who was chief of staff to former FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras, joined Intel's Washington office last month from the FTC to work on issues of trade and competition policy globally. Further, Audrey Plonk joined Intel's global public policy staff last month at company headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif, where she will work on security assurance and critical infrastructure protection policy. Plonk previously worked in the National Cyber Security Division of the Department of Homeland Security, where her focuses included international security policy issues.

The appointments come after Intel Chairman Craig Barrett expressed his frustration with Congress on technology innovation and said that the governing body's failure to support efforts such as the America COMPETES Act is like throwing the country's future "down the drain."

Cleveland will join Intel immediately after the November 4 presidential election.