Ex-congresswoman to head Google Washington office

Google on Thursday named a former Republican congresswoman from New York to head the Internet giant's Washington-based policy and lobbying operation.

Susan Molinari, 53, served three terms in the US House of Representatives in the 1990s and now heads a consulting firm.

Google said Molinari had been named vice president of public policy and government relations for the Americas and would manage policy advocacy and government outreach in North and South America.

"I am excited about Susan joining Google," David Drummond, Google senior vice president and chief legal officer, said in a statement.

"She's a true trailblazer and her enthusiasm for our technology and its potential to change lives will be a real asset to our team in the Americas," Drummond said.

Molinari takes over from Alan Davidson, who opened Google's office in Washington in 2005.

Google has drawn increasing scrutiny from US and European regulators as it has grown over the years from a scrappy startup into an Internet powerhouse.

(c) 2012 AFP