New Position Reflects Increasing Importance of Global Policy for U.S. Tech & Digital Content Businesses
WASHINGTON D.C. – December 19, 2013 – The Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, today announced that U.S. State Department veteran Carl Schonander will serve as Director of International Public Policy. Schonander (photo attached) will lead SIIA’s efforts to promote and protect the international public policy interests of its member companies. The Director of International Public Policy is a new position at SIIA, and reflects increasing impact of global policy debates on U.S. technology and digital content business.
“With deep international public policy experience, Carl will make certain the voice of our industry is heard in international public policy deliberations,” said SIIA president Ken Wasch. “Carl’s combination of international policy experience, extensive global contacts and familiarity with intergovernmental organizations gives him a unique ability to navigate international policymaking. He will be a tremendous asset as we work to make certain tech and digital content companies are able to innovate and grow in the increasingly integrated global economy.”
Wasch continued, “The integration of the world’s economies is accelerating, creating more interplay between domestic and international public policy. The European Union’s data protection regulation will shape information collection and use practices, while trade agreements such as TTIP and TPP will affect the ability of our member companies to protect their intellectual property and transfer data across borders.”
Schonander said, “It’s an exciting opportunity to join an organization that represents companies that are increasingly global in their outlook and business plans. The software and digital content industries are leading the global digital economy, and it is essential that SIIA provide a strong international voice on behalf of its members. We’re going to address a wide range of policy issues, including intellectual property protection, privacy and security, cloud computing and trade. ”
Schonander brings 25 years of experience in the State Department. He most recently was Senior Advisor for Europe, OECD and WIPO Intellectual Property Affairs, where, among many achievements, he played a key role in obtaining approvals for the 2013 Marrakesh Treaty. He previously served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, where he managed the leadership of the Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science. He also spent four years as the Trade Policy Advisor in the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, and over a decade as a senior advisor in in various embassies and consulates around the world.
Schonander has a Masters of Law degree from George Washington University, a Masters Degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a JD from the University of Stockholm. He speaks Swedish, French, Spanish and Portuguese.