Chief Technology Officer of the United States facts for kids

The United States Chief Technology Officer (often called the US CTO) is an important person who works in the Office of Science and Technology Policy. This office helps the President of the United States with science and technology. The US CTO helps the President and their team use the power of data, new ideas, and technology. They do this to help the American people.

The CTO works with many people inside and outside the government. Their job is to use technology to make the government and its services better. They also help the country by encouraging new inventions and technology. For example, the CTO uses technology to help create jobs. They also work to make government services better and cheaper. This includes making sure government information is easy to find and understand. The CTO helps government offices use open data and improve how they use information. They also work to make health care better and less expensive. They help improve the criminal justice system. The CTO also works to make sure more people can get internet access. They bring skilled technology experts into the government. These experts help with new policies and modern ways of working. The CTO helps government agencies work with local communities to solve problems. Finally, they help keep the nation safe using technology.

History of the US CTO

In 2008, when he was running for president, Barack Obama said he would create a new job. This job would be the first federal chief technology officer. He said he would appoint someone to this role if he won the election.

Aneesh Chopra was chosen by President Obama as the first US CTO in April 2009. The Senate officially approved him on August 7, 2009. Mr. Chopra left the job on February 8, 2012. Todd Park took over from him. Mr. Park had been the CTO for the Department of Health and Human Services before this. On September 4, 2014, Megan Smith was named as the next CTO.

After Ms. Smith left, the role was empty for two years. Then, President Trump named Michael Kratsios as the US CTO in May 2019. The United States Senate approved him unanimously on August 1, 2019. As of June 25, 2025, President Biden has not yet chosen a new US CTO.

Name		President	Term	Deputy CTOs
	Aneesh Chopra	Barack Obama	2009–2012	Andrew McLaughlin
	Todd Park		2012–2014	Ryan Panchadsaram, Jennifer Pahlka, Nicole Wong
	Megan Smith		2014–2017	Cori Zarek, Alexander Macgillivray, Edward Felten, Ryan Panchadsaram
Vacant		Donald Trump	2017–2019	Michael Kratsios
	Michael Kratsios		2019–2021	Lynne Parker, Winter Casey
Vacant		Joe Biden	Vacant