Oracle’s Hoffman to Cognizant

Cognizant plans to open up its first Washington office, headed by a well-known tech lobbyist who also used to be a child actor.

{mosads}Robert Hoffman had been at Oracle, a software company, where he helped lead the fight for an immigration/visa overhaul to accommodate tech’s seemingly insatiable need for highly skilled foreign workers. (As a child, he appeared in several commercials and had a recurring role on “Little House on the Prairie.”)

Hoffman had been at Oracle since 2001. Previously, he was an aide to then-Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio), Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) and Larry Pressler (R-S.D.).

Cognizant, which is based in New Jersey, reported revenues of $2.8 billion in 2008. It projects its earnings to reach $3.1 billion in 2009.

Hoffman’s hiring represents Cognizant’s first real foray into lobbying. Not only does the company not have an office in D.C., it hasn’t hired any outside consultants to lobby on its behalf.

 But Hoffman said the company now wants to participate in the debates over immigration reform, tax policies and other components of the so-called innovation agenda in an effort to promote the tech sector.

 “They are stepping up to talk about the things they can contribute to the overall economy,” Hoffman said