Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, today announced Carl Holshouser has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary. He was most recently Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary.
“Carl has been crucial to TechNet’s unprecedented growth and success since he joined our organization and is one of the most consequential leaders advocating for the technology industry. Carl has overseen the expansion of TechNet’s federal and communications teams, driven the growth of our political program, led cross-industry coalitions, like United for Privacy, and mobilized campaigns around our key policy priorities, including our AI for America initiative. Carl’s proactive and strategic impact is evident throughout the organization. I deeply value our partnership in leading TechNet as we work to ensure America wins the next era of innovation,” said TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore.
Holshouser joined TechNet in 2020 as Senior Vice President to drive the growth and impact of the organization and lead its advocacy efforts in Washington. Since then, TechNet has grown its revenue by 300%, added 30+ new members, and hired ten new staff members to remain “tech’s most powerful advocacy group,” as described by WIRED magazine. Holshouser has been recognized as a top lobbyist by both The Hill and the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics.
Holshouser oversees TechNet’s advocacy on key priorities, including artificial intelligence, the need for a federal data privacy law, competition, trade, and cybersecurity. Holshouser was instrumental in launching AI for America, TechNet’s $25 million initiative to promote AI’s current and future benefits and educate and inform Americans on how AI is already improving their lives, growing our economy, and keeping us safe. He also leads the United for Privacy campaign, a TechNet-led initiative that brings together a unified, cross-industry voice to underscore the urgent need to pass a federal data privacy law this Congress.
“I am proud of the work we’ve done to build TechNet into the premier American tech association driving outcomes that strengthen American innovation, our economy, and U.S. global competitiveness. I appreciate Linda, my colleagues, and our member companies for continuing to place their trust in me, and I look forward to stepping into this expanded leadership role,” said Holshouser.
Carl joined TechNet from PwC, where he served as a strategic policy adviser to Fortune 500 companies and was co-leader of the firm’s Trade Policy Platform. Prior to PwC, Holshouser served as Senior Director of Government Relations for Visa from 2013-2019, where he led technology policy issues for the global payments company. Holshouser had previous lobbying roles with Textron Systems and Capitol Partners Inc., and started his career in the office of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).