U.S. semiconductor corporations Intel has hired a former White House aide to President Donald Trump as an executive in charge of government relations. With the U.S. government having become Intel's largest shareholder, the move is seen as an effort to fully strengthen its government and policy response capabilities.
On the 15th, Intel said it appointed Robin Colwell, former White House deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the National Economic Council (NEC), as senior vice president (SVP) for government relations. Colwell will oversee Intel's external affairs organization for the government and will be based in Washington, D.C., not in California, where the headquarters is located.
Colwell was involved in setting policy across the U.S. economy at the White House during the Trump administration and has since advised on telecommunications, technology, and cybersecurity policy. CEO Lip-Bu Tan said of Colwell, "A person with broad experience and a deep understanding of the legal and policy environment, and will be an important asset to Intel."
The appointment comes as ties between the U.S. government and Intel have grown closer. In connection with subsidies under the CHIPS Act, Intel agreed to transfer more than 10% equity to the government. As a result, the U.S. government became Intel's largest shareholder.
Intel also announced executive appointments in the technology and marketing institutional sector that day. After Senior Vice President Sachin Katti moved to OpenAI last month, the chief technology officer (CTO) post left vacant will be concurrently filled on an interim basis by Pushkar Ranade, chief of staff to the CEO. Ranade has been involved in developing and mass-producing Intel Foundry process technology and will lead the formulation of advanced technology strategy going forward.
Intel also hired Annie Shay Wekesser, former chief marketing officer (CMO) at SambaNova, as chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO). SambaNova is an AI Semiconductor startup that Intel is currently in acquisition talks to buy. With CEO Lip-Bu Tan serving as chair of the board and a major investor, the possibility of conflict-of-interest controversy being raised could also emerge.