Gov 2.0 Hero: Jeffrey Levy

• Director of Web Communications, Environmental Protection Agency
• Co-chair, Social Media Subcouncil
• Connect: Twitter · Blog

What was your path to Gov 2.0?

I started doing Web 1.0 at EPA in 1994, and I’ve been working with great people ever since, both at EPA and not. As the new tools came along, it was a natural progression. Much of Web 2.0 meshes very well with our broad mission, after all. More specifically, I first did Web 2.0 when my team was tapped to help then-Deputy Administrator publish his blog a couple of years ago.

What area of government offers the biggest opportunity for improvement via Web 2.0 tools?

Policy making. I see no other area that will reap as many benefits as hearing from a much wider group of people.

What’s the killer app that will make Gov 2.0 the norm instead of the exception?

Mygov.gov: my personal account that shows me a dashboard on login with renewal alerts for my driver’s license, passport and other repeating government needs; my local weather; major announcements from whatever government agencies interest me; a button to enter online chat and get help with whatever government issue I need (regardless of state, local or federal); and other boxes that allow me to customize whatever other info I might want.

What part of Gov 2.0 most excites you?

Watching people get energized and participating, as they realize the government really is listening.