Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Purdue's tech diplomacy board

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency, recently joined the bipartisan Global Advisory Board for the Center for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue.

"The Center for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is the world’s preeminent institution focused on techno-statecraft," a Purdue release states, "a new model of diplomacy that bridges the high-tech sector with the foreign policy and national security sectors to ensure trusted technology is used to advance freedom.​"

Also among the board members are Gen. Stanley McChrystal, Dr. Dan Goldin, Ambassador Robert Hormats and other leaders.

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Panetta began his career in public service in 1964 as a U.S Army intelligence officer, wherein he received the Army Commendation Medal, according to a release. After discharge from the Army, Panetta began working in Washington as a legislative assistant to U.S Senate minority whip Tom Kuchel of California. In 1976, Panetta was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives.

He currently serves on the boards of directors for Oracle and Blue Shield of California. He is also a co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Defense Personnel Task Force as well as the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Countering Violent Extremism.

“China’s techno-economic aggression presents a serious threat to the United States and the free world, especially when it comes to advanced technologies such as 5G, AI, and semiconductors,” Secretary Panetta said in the release. “The key to securing freedom is securing high tech through widespread adoption of trusted technologies. The Clean Network pioneered a trust-based model for countering authoritarian aggression across all areas of techno-economic competition. I support the adoption of that successful model by the Center for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue in its noble mission, and I am honored to join its Advisory Board.”

Keith Krach, chairman and co-founder of the Center for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, also states in the release just how important countering authoritarianism is through advancing technology, and how recruiting honored leaders such as Panetta reflects that importance.

“His leadership experience as secretary of defense, director of the CIA, White House chief of staff, director of OMB, and chair of the House Budget Committee as a congressman brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world expertise at the highest levels of government and geopolitical competition," Krach said in the release." I look forward to working with Secretary Panetta on our robust tech diplomacy agenda.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Ex-Secretary of Defense Panetta joins Purdue's tech diplomacy board