EDS exec named tech czar

George Newstrom, an executive with Electronic Data Systems Corp., was appointed by Virginia Gov. Mark Warner to serve as the state's secretary of technology.Newstrom has held numerous positions with EDS, including running its federal government business. Most recently, he was a senior vice president and president of Asia Pacific information solutions for EDS of Plano, Texas. Don Upson, the current secretary of technology, will continue to serve until Newstrom takes over March 1.Newstrom, who joined EDS in 1974, is in charge of the company's operations in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. He serves on the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of America, is chairman of the board of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance and serves as co-chairman of the Virginia Technology Council.