The Entertainment Software Association, the U.S. video game industry"s trade association, has announced Michael Gallagher will take over presidential duties at the association later in May. Gallagher was the chief telecommunications and policy adviser to the Bush administration in his former role as assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information. Gallagher replaces the association"s first president, Douglas Lowenstein, who led the ESA from 1994, when it was called the Interactive Digital Software Association.
Lowenstein left in February to become the administrator of a Washington, D.C., lobby group, the Private Equity Council. Gallagher is joining the ESA from his current role as chair of the communications practice at the law firm Perkins Coie. "Mike"s outstanding technology, policy, and government relations experience makes him a strong fit for the ESA, where issues like intellectual property, self-regulation, and industry, social and economic contributions are at the forefront of the agenda," said Robbie Bach, the chair of the ESA board of directors and president of Microsoft Corporation"s entertainment and devices division.