Hassell to lead HP's government affairs office

John Hassell will lead Hewlett-Packard Co.'s office in Washington and its federal and state government programs, the Palo Alto, Calif., company announced May 20.


Hassell, former public affairs director for HP, will manage the firm's interactions with Congress, state legislatures, the Bush administration, governors and federal offices. He will work closely with various companies, associations and coalitions on high-tech public policy issues and political activities.


"Having worked with closely with Silicon Valley's executives and community leaders, I'm pleased to be representing HP in Washington," Hassell said. "I'm looking forward to partnering with Congress and the administration on technology issues ranging from e-commerce to the digital divide."


Hassell replaces Phil Bond, who was appointed undersecretary of Commerce for Technology at the Department of Commerce last year.


"John will serve as a strong voice for HP and the entire high-tech industry in Washington," said Gary Fazzino, vice president of HP government and public affairs. Hassell has 20 years of experience in the high-tech, defense, heavy manufacturing and forest product industries, Fazzino said.


Before joining HP in January 2000, Hassell served as the northern regional public affairs manager for Simpson Investment Co., a forest and paper products company in Seattle. Previously, he was California public affairs manager for the defense systems group of FMC Corp. of Philadelphia and governmental affairs representative for heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. of Peoria, Ill.


Hassell serves on the board of directors of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, the board of corporate fellows of the National Governors Association and the leadership council of the AIDS Research Institute of the University of California at San Francisco. A native of Newport News, Va., he is a graduate of the College of William and Mary.


HP, a provider of IT products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses worldwide, merged with Compaq Computer Corp. May 3. The combined company had revenue of about $81.7 billion in fiscal 2001 and operations in more than 160 countries.