Intel hires ex-Trump fixer as Washington whisperer

But when will Chipzilla bring back will.i.am?

Intel has hired a veteran Republican operator as its head of government affairs, just months after Uncle Sam became the struggling chip vendor's biggest shareholder.

In a shakeup of senior roles at the firm, Robin Colwell becomes senior vice president of government affairs, leading the company's "global" engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders.

"She will focus on building trust, advancing Intel's strategic priorities, and positioning the company at the intersection of public policy, technology, and manufacturing," the company said in a statement.

"Her leadership will be critical as Intel navigates policy, trade, national security, and opportunities with governments around the world," it added.

Though given its performance in recent years, does Intel really need someone else being critical?

Colwell certainly has broad experience in DC economic and technology policymaking.

Most recently, she was deputy assistant to President Donald Trump and deputy director of the National Economic Council. She spent the Biden administration at a DC lobbying firm, but before that was a special assistant to the president on economic policy from 2019 to 2021, and chief counsel for communications and technology for the House Energy and Commerce Committee from 2017 to 2019.

Colwell spent three years as chief of staff to FCC commissioner Mike O'Rielly following a series of "legislative counsel" gigs for various Republican senators and house members.

Her former boss at the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, is currently one of the favorites to take over as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Intel also appointed James Chew as VP of Intel Government Technologies, which looks after business with the US government. Chew was previously at Intel boss Lip-Bu Tan's former employer, Cadence Design Systems.

Meanwhile, Annie Shea Wessecker joins Intel from Samba Nova as SVP and chief marketing and communications officer.

The influx of outside talent doesn't leave Intel veterans completely in the cold. The firm has appointed Tan's chief of staff, Pushkar Ranade, as interim CTO. Ranade has spent most of his career at the company so he presumably knows his way around, which is just as well, as he'll be juggling two jobs.

This latest round of musical chairs changes the face of the company, with Colwell deepening its links with the America First mood in Washington.

But then companies always have to pay attention to the zeitgeist. After all, it's almost exactly 15 years since Intel appointed Black Eye Peas front man will.i.am as director of creative innovation. The brief was a "multi-year, hands-on creative and technology collaboration with Intel Corporation."

Sadly, it seems that has faded out after a couple of years with Mr am becoming chief creative officer at 3D Systems in 2014.

Nevertheless, a look over Intel's stock chart shows the company's share price was on a rising trend following his appointment – a rise that only stumbled around the time Pat Gelsinger rejoined the company.

In fairness, Intel's share price has recovered strongly following Tan's appointment as CEO. But if Tan really wants to revive Intel, surely he will draft will.i.am back into the fold alongside Colwell and Chew. ®