TechAmerica CEO leaves to join lobbying firm

By Gautham Nagesh - 10/03/11 11:31 AM ET

The head of one of the technology industry's most influential Washington trade groups is leaving to create his own lobbying shop.

TechAmerica CEO Phillip Bond is leaving the organization he helped shape into a formidable voice on technology issues over the past five and a half years to join T.J. Petrizzo, head of Petrizzo Strategic as partner, president and CEO of the renamed Petrizzo Bond Inc.

As head of the Information Technology Association of America, Bond oversaw the 2008 merger between his organization and the American Electronics Association (AeA) that resulted in the formation of TechAmerica. He served as undersecretary of technology at the Commerce Department from 2001 to 2005.

“Some five and half years ago, it was Phil’s initiative that launched the effort to combine strengths and skills and rebrand them 'TechAmerica,' the largest advocacy group representing the U.S. technology sector," said Peter Boni, chairman of TechAmerica's Board of Directors.

"He has been an effective and visible voice for the association, and we wish him success in his new endeavor."

TechAmerica announced Sunday that chief operating officer Daniel Varroney will serve as interim CEO effective immediately. Under Bond, the organization has pushed the government to reduce taxes and trade barriers on the tech industry while advocating for greater government adoption of cloud computing.

Bond told FedNewsRadio he plans to stick to tech issues at the new lobbying firm, mostly on the IT side. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is one of Petrizzo's main clients. Bond is scheduled to join his new firm on Nov. 1.

“I am leaving to pursue another opportunity, but continue to believe strongly in the TechAmerica vision of a unified voice to speak out on taxes, trade, talent, and technology in ways that will continue the U.S. leadership of the world in innovation and application of those innovations to government at all levels," Bond said in a statement.

“I look forward to building on the strong foundation of Phil’s efforts to ensure that the voice of America’s growth engine, the technology industry, is heard in the nation’s capital and state capitals around the country,” Varroney added.