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ESA Leadership

Michael (Mike) D. Gallagher
President and CEO

Mike Gallagher has a deep background in technology policy. Mr. Gallagher was the Department of Commerce's Assistant Secretary for Communications & Information, serving as chief telecommunications and Internet policy advisor to the George W. Bush Administration. During his over four-year tenure at the Department of Commerce, he led successful efforts to pave the way for a number of new technologies and services, such as ultrawideband, broadband over powerlines, advanced wireless services, and millimeter wavelength networks. In addition, Mr. Gallagher developed and successfully advocated the U.S. Government's policies on international Internet governance.

Mr. Gallagher was most recently Communications Practice chair at Perkins Coie, a leading international law firm offering a broad spectrum of legal services. Mr. Gallagher holds degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Professional Recognition

• Inaugural recipient of “Spirit of Innovation” award by Telecommunications Industry Association, March 2005
• Recipient of “Leadership in Government” award by Wireless Communications Association, January 2006
• Recipient of “Redfield Award” for distinguished leadership in government service by Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, January 2006

Professional Leadership

• Chair, Board of Advisors for Shared Spectrum Company, Shared Spectrum
• Member, Advisory Committee to Secretary General of the United Nations for the Internet Governance Forum
• Member, US State Department Advisory Committee on Information and Communication Policy
• Co-author, “21st Century Communications Systems for First Responders: The Right Call” with Larry Irving (NTIA Administrator under President Bill Clinton)
• Adjunct Fellow, Progress & Freedom Foundation

Previous Positions

• Perkins Coie, Communications Practice Chair, February 2006-May 2007
• U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication & Information, Director National Telecommunications & Information Administration, August 2003-February 2006
• U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy & Counselor to Secretary Donald L. Evans, May 2003-November 2003
• U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications & Information, Deputy Director National Telecommunications & Information Administration, 2001-May 2003
• Verizon Wireless Bellevue, Wa., Staff Vice-President State Public Policy, 2000-2001
• CIA Intelligence Fellow, August 2003

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