George A. Keyworth II
George Keyworth | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Albert Keyworth II 30 November 1939 |
| Died | 23 August 2017 (aged 77) Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Jay Keyworth |
| Occupation(s) | Physicist, science advisor, corporate board member |
| Known for | White House Science Advisor (1981–1986), Hewlett-Packard board member |
George Albert "Jay" Keyworth II (November 30, 1939 – August 23, 2017) was a prominent American physicist who held the position of White House Science Advisor from 1981 until January 1986. He was also a Hewlett-Packard board member and stepped down on September 13, 2006, following disputes related to the disclosure of confidential information to the press.
Education and career
Keyworth completed his secondary education at Deerfield Academy before obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Yale University in 1963. He earned his doctorate in physics from Duke University in 1968. Following his PhD, he joined Los Alamos National Laboratory, eventually becoming head of its Physics Division prior to his appointment as Science Advisor to the President.
Beginning in 1995, Keyworth took on the roles of chairman and senior fellow at The Progress & Freedom Foundation. Between 1990 and 1994, he served on the board of Eon Corporation (previously known as TV Answer). Acting as an intermediary between TV Answer and Hewlett-Packard, he played a key role in establishing a manufacturing and marketing alliance that led to the creation of the first nationwide interactive television system, thereby accelerating the production of interactive TV units for consumers.
From 1981 until early 1986, Keyworth was both the President’s Science Advisor and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Additionally, he held a directorship at General Atomics.
Hewlett-Packard resignation
In early 2005, following leaks concerning then-CEO Carly Fiorina's disputes with HP’s board, Fiorina engaged a law firm to identify the leak source. After Fiorina’s departure in February 2005, non-executive chairwoman Patricia C. Dunn continued this probe. Within a broader scandal, a subcontractor employed pretexting techniques that implicated Keyworth as the alleged source of confidential information leaked to CNET. This was disclosed during a board meeting on May 18, 2006. Dunn requested Keyworth’s resignation; he declined, denying any unauthorized communication with journalists. Another board member (Tom Perkins) resigned in protest over how Keyworth was treated. HP publicly revealed these events on September 6, 2006, stating they would not support Keyworth’s reelection to the board. Shortly after Mark V. Hurd was promoted to chairman, Keyworth resigned on September 12.
Regarding the purported leak to CNET, HP commented: "Dr. Keyworth frequently engaged with media at HP's request to articulate HP's positions. Although the board believes that Dr. Keyworth's January 2006 contact with CNET was not cleared through proper channels, they acknowledge his intention was to advance HP's interests." Board chair Patricia Dunn expressed regret over the invasion of his privacy.
Having served as a director since 1986, Keyworth was HP’s longest-tenured board member prior to his departure.
Death
Keyworth passed away from prostate cancer at his residence in Monterey, California on August 23, 2017, aged 77.
See also
References