Michael D. Gallagher is president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. Prior to his appointment to head the ESA Gallagher was the Assistant Secretary for Commerce and Information in the United States Department of Commerce and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He was the chief technology advisor to former President George W. Bush. Gallagher was installed into office on October 14, 2003, via a recess appointment, bypassing Senate approval. He has since been approved by the Senate. Before joining the Department of Commerce, Gallagher was vice president for state public policy at Verizon Wireless. Prior to that, he was managing director for government relations at AirTouch Communications, which was merged with Verizon. Gallagher previously served as administrative assistant to Washington Congressman Rick White and co-chaired the government relations practice group at the law firm of Perkins Coie. Gallagher received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.