McLaughlin was Google's director of Global Public Policy for five and a half years; he left around June 2009 to work under Aneesh Chopra as the deputy U.S. CTO. As such, he has been an advocate of open government and net neutrality.
As a professional, McLaughlin is equal parts über geek and legal eagle; he's had extensive experience where issues of law and technology overlap. And clearly, he's no stranger at handling political situations.
The one thing we don't know about McLaughlin is whether he's cut out for entrepreneurship. We're unclear what role he'll be playing as a founder, but we're definitely excited to hear about what he'll be doing in the next few months.
After all, ex-Googlers have something of a tradition when it comes to founding startups. They've got the brain power, tech connections and power to impress VCs and press that few other company alum groups have.
The Washington Post reports that McLaughlin's actually starting two separate companies, both of which revolve around technology development in various communities around the U.S. and around the world.
"I'm interested in fostering low-cost, collaborative tech for state and local governments," he wrote in an e-mail to the Post, "and also in supporting new startups in developing countries, one non-profit the other for-profit."
McLaughlin will also be teaching law after his stint at the White House is finished Thursday.