Google exec Megan Smith is top contender to be US Chief Technology Officer

According to unidentified sources familiar with the developments at the White House, longtime Google executive Megan Smith, 49, is the top contender to be the US' next Chief Technology Officer --- a role created by President Barack Obama.

As per the sources, Smith is likely to succeed Todd Park who has recently resigned as the Chief Technology Officer. Park - who has had a two-year stint as the Chief Technology Officer - was preceded by Aneesh Chopra, the first person to be appointed for the job, which largely involves overseeing technology use by the federal government to create jobs, reducing costs, and spurring economic growth.

Smith, who is reportedly the finalist contender for the Chief Technology Officer's post after Park's resignation, is currently the Vice President of the Google X division --- the company's skunk works of futuristic projects like Google Glass and driverless cars, among others.

Sources have revealed that, other than Smith, there are two other finalists - one of them being Alex Macgillvray, a former executive at Twitter and Google - who are being considered by the White House for appointment as the next Chief technology Officer.

Meanwhile, about Park's contribution as the Chief Technology Officer, President Obama said in a statement: 'I thank Todd for his service as my chief technology officer, and look forward to his continuing to help us deploy the best people and ideas from the tech community in service of the American people.'