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    Ex-Pixar executive to head federal tech innovation service 

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1302 Views
    In this March 25, 2001, file photo, Rob Cook poses backstage with Loren Carpenter, not seen, with his Oscar for significant advancements to the field of motion picture rendering as exemplified in Pixar's "Renderman," at the 73rd annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

    By Tami Abdollah

    WASHINGTON (AP) --

    A former Pixar executive who won the first ever Oscar for software is taking over a U.S. government agency responsible for improving federal digital technology.

    Rob Cook, whose credits include "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2," will become commissioner of the Technology Transformation Service on Oct. 31. He will have top secret security clearance.

    Cook is credited with advancements in software-driven animation. He said in a statement that the U.S. needs first-rate technology expertise, effective relationships with industry and partnerships throughout government. He declined, through a spokesman, to speak to The Associated Press. Cook's appointment was for three years. He has been a Democratic donor to the campaigns of President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

    The Technology Transformation Service is part of the U.S. General Services Administration. It was created in April to "transform the way government builds, buys and shares technology." It includes "18F," a Silicon Valley-style startup for government digital projects that was the subject of a highly critical review by the agency's inspector general over its financial losses of $32 million and lack of viable financial planning, among other issues.

    Cook will also oversee investments, acquisitions and the presidential innovation fellows program, among other offices.

    Cook joined Pixar in 1981 when it was part of Lucasfilm and was the primary author of Pixar's RenderMan software, which creates photo-realistic computer images for animation, effects and design. It has been used in 19 of the last 20 films to win Oscars for visual effects. Cook later started a digital imaging company and headed a software company he sold to Microsoft, before returning to Pixar as vice president of software development. Since 2012, he has been a business consultant to prominent Silicon Valley companies.

    "Rob's renowned experience, both as a software developer and in cultivating innovative teams throughout his career, are incredible additions to our long-term goal of enhancing the way government uses technology to deliver world-class services for citizens," Tony Scott, the U.S. chief information officer, said in a statement.

    Cook won an Oscar in 2001 for software and in 2009 an award for a lifetime of contributions to computer graphics from a computer professionals group.

    Cook's job pays between $123,175 and $185,100.

    Tags:PiarRob CookTechnology Transformation Service



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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