Getting on a committee like Jeff has mentioned is a huge perk in many ways. It helps establish ones status and fortifies one’s reach. If the right people are put on these things happen. If the wrong people are on them, well, nothing happens.
The public media is well represented. Neither VoIP or the Blogosphere is there though. If the government wanted Status Quo, they have it. If they want thought leaders, people with vision they don’t.
Vincent Cerf now with Google certainly should be on the list. But where are the so called thought leaders from Intel, Yahoo, Microsoft, AOL, CISCO, IBM etc. Where are the Level3’s, AT&T’s, Broadwings who are all seriously vested in the future.
Prior to his first run for President George Bush put together a team of “tech execs” to help better understand the role of technology in the future in our country. Sadly, none of them seem to be involved or called on.