What struck me reading through those memos is that Packard wasn't just going through the motions or (overtly) looking to finagle HP procurement deals, but that he was actually approaching the job like a professional manager, conducting dialogue between the executive and legislative branches in an effective and informed way.

1970s: Captains of industry take time away from their companies to act as public servants and provide useful advice and experience at top levels of government

2020s: Captains of industry flame US Senators to a crisp on Twitter