SAN FRANCISCO--Burson-Marsteller has named Lisa Poulson as global technology practice chair. Poulson will also join the firm’s business operations team, which includes the firm’s most senior executives.

She will report to worldwide CEO Mark Penn, and will continue to be based in San Francisco. Poulson rejoined Burson-Marsteller in 2005 and is currently the global client leader for Hewlett-Packard.

Poulson will lead a global technology team that includes four regional leads: Jackie Price, MD of technology & media practices for Asia-Pacific; Guido Gaona, Latin America innovation & technology practice chair; Chris Cartwright, EMEA Technology practice chair; and Jim Goldman, US technology practice chair.

“Lisa has been a leader in our technology practice for several years, consulting to the world’s leading technology companies,” said Penn. “As global technology practice chair and a member of our business operations team, Lisa will take on a more significant leadership role in the firm. Her years of experience in the technology industry and commitment to client service will ensure the continued success of our global technology practice.”

During her time at Burson-Marsteller, Poulson has served clients as diverse as Northern Telecom, the U.S. Postal Service and Hydro-Quebec. Poulson also has significant expertise in counseling technology companies involved in intellectual property and anti-trust litigation.

“I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that will come with this new role,” said Poulson. “With the power of our exceptional global network of technology PR experts led by our regional practice chairs, I know we’ll continue to build on our strength in delivering the strategic counsel and seamless, quality global service that clients expect from Burson-Marsteller.”

Before rejoining Burson-Marsteller in 2005, Poulson managed communications and corporate marketing at two Silicon Valley start-ups. Previously, Poulson worked at Sun Microsystems where she launched the Java technology to business, trade and consumer press and analysts -- taking it from a lab project to an international force in software.

Poulson started her career in public relations at Burson-Marsteller in New York in 1988. She worked at the firm in both New York and San Francisco until she joined Sun Microsystems in 1996.