Mike Benz is the Executive Director of Foundation for Freedom Online (FFO), a nonprofit watchdog dedicated to protecting digital liberties and restoring the free and open Internet.   During the Trump administration, Benz was in charge of the cyber portfolio for the US State Department, where he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology. That role included formulating and negotiating US policy on Internet diplomacy issues as well as interfacing with private industry and civil society in the Big Tech space.   Prior to his State Department role, Benz served as a White House speechwriter for President Trump and advised on technology policy. Before his time in the public sector, Benz practiced business law as an attorney in New York, representing technology companies and financial firms.