Matt Cutts of Google announced that Google has hired a side kick to help him manage Webmaster communication. The new face to share the spotlight at Google is Adam Lasnik. You can read Adam's thoughts on joining Google and his role here. The deal is, Adam was an SEM & Affiliate marketer - one of the folks from the SEO community. That is why he was hired, to "advocate" for the Webmaster at Google.
Welcome Adam! We wish you much success at Google and can't wait to meet you at SES San Jose. And thank you, Matt and the whole search quality team for the wedding gift.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.