Search Giant Names Head of Its Charity

Google Inc. has hired online pioneer and veteran philanthropist Larry Brilliant to run a charitable foundation that is trying to fulfill the Internet search engine leader’s promise to make the world a better place.

Brilliant’s appointment as executive director of Google.org was announced at a technology conference in Monterey, Calif.

Google has pledged to give its philanthropic arm the equivalent of 3 million company shares -- a commitment worth $1.1 billion. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company began the foundation with a $90-million donation last year.