Google CEO named chairman of think tank (AP)

WASHINGTON - Eric Schmidt, the chairman and chief executive of the world's largest search engine, needs to update his profile on the company Web site.

If he doesn't, his new chairmanship at the New America Foundation won't show up if Schmidt Googles himself.

On Thursday, the Google chairman and CEO became chairman of the Washington think tank whose various issues include telecommunications and technology policy.

His unpaid position will be effective June 1.

The first chairman for Google Inc. when he joined in 2001, Schmidt will be the think tank's second since it began in 1999. He's been on the think tank's board since its inception. He follows James Fallows, a national correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly magazine. Fallows will remain on the board.

Schmidt's election also follows the September arrival of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll as the president and chief executive of New America, which has a $13.5 million annual budget, 75 staff members and 25 fellows. The group's policy issues also include economic growth, foreign policy and trade, among others.

Coll, a staff writer for The New Yorker, said one of the group's priorities will be using new technologies to improve dissemination of its works and develop new research and ideas. Schmidt is expected to help shape that "digital think tank," a spokesman for the group said.

The think tank has supported using unused and unlicensed television airwaves to transmit high-speed Internet service as well opening up some airwaves in a spectrum auction that would allow consumers use any cell phone or service they want on the resulting network. Google supports both initiatives.

The 17-member board also includes Francis Fukuyama, noted economics professor with the Johns Hopkins University, Bernard L. Schwartz, former chairman and chief executive of satellite designer and maker Loral Space & Communications Inc. and Fareed Zakaria, editor of Newsweek International.

Two years ago, Schmidt and his family formed a private California foundation that supports environmental programs and renewable energy technologies.

(This version CORRECTS the name of the think tank to New America Federation.)