Tech group hires White House communications aide

The Information Technology Industry Council hired White House official Tom Gavin to be vice president for external affairs on Monday.

Gavin will join the tech trade group after serving as special assistant to the president and director of Cabinet communications at the White House, where he also served as director of media affairs. Gavin previously worked at the Office of Management and Budget and under former Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) for nine years.

“Tom’s expertise will be a tremendous asset to ITI’s membership, our advocacy work, and the organization’s role as a leader in the information and communications technology industry," said ITI President Dean Garfield.

When he joins ITI in mid-February, Gavin will oversee third-party outreach and be responsible for bolstering the communications and media operation.

He began his career in radio news after earning a Bachelor's degree in political science from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.

This post was updated at 2:56 p.m.

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