SEATTLE – After an extensive national search and recruitment effort, the governing board of Washington Policy Center (WPC), the state’s premier free-market think tank, has named Michael D. Gallagher the organization’s new CEO and president. Gallagher was an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information for the George W. Bush administration. He then served 11 years as President & CEO of the Washington D.C. based Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

“We were looking for someone with the experience and vision to take WPC to a new level,” said Mark Pinkowski, WPC Board Chairman. “And you can’t meet Mike without being impressed. His incredible success in industry and expertise in government, combined with his energy, drive and optimism, make the perfect combination.  We can’t wait to see what he will do for Washington.”

While leading ESA, Mr. Gallagher built broad bipartisan support for the industry across the U.S., working with champions of the industry in state legislatures, the United States Congress, in the White House and in the media. During his tenure, Mr. Gallagher restored the industry’s trade show, E3, to global prominence, worked with leaders across the entertainment industry to prevail in the association’s signature Supreme Court victory in 2011, and partnered with other leading organizations, including AARP, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and Sesame Street to elevate the profile of the dynamic video game industry. For the past three years, Mr. Gallagher has advised a portfolio of early-stage technology companies as CEO of Intrepidity, the investment consulting firm he founded.

“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of the Washington Policy Center,” Gallagher said. “Washington Policy Center is acknowledged as not only the leading free-market think tank in Washington State, but among the top engines of free market ideals nationally. I look forward to adding my global, state, and federal policy experience to the work WPC does for the people of Washington State.”

Former Washington State Attorney General, Rob McKenna, is a longtime friend and colleague of Gallagher’s. “Mike is a born leader who is smart, pragmatic, and visionary,” explained McKenna. “I admire his skill in bringing people together by identifying common interests and framing issues to attract broad support.” McKenna and Gallagher each worked at Perkins Coie, where Gallagher was a partner and co-chair of Perkins Coie Communications practice group. “Mike is a great fit for Washington Policy Center and will be a terrific leader of our nation’s most important and influential state think tank,” McKenna said.

“For years, Mike has dedicated his life’s work to preserving liberty and promoting economic opportunity for all,” shared Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05), Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “His tremendous success and proven leadership — coupled with his deep understanding of the policy areas that matter most to Washington state — make him an excellent choice to lead the Washington Policy Center. I look forward to our continued partnership to deliver results for the families that call our great state home.”

“The correlation of forces in Washington state -- between those who wish to advance the interests of government and those who value liberty and opportunity -- has shifted,” observed Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Washington Policy Center has scored a coup in convincing the talented, experienced, competent, and principled Michael Gallagher to return to the good Washington to serve as CEO of the think tank that stands as a leading structure in the network of groups and individuals committed to restoring balance to state and local policies that harm Washington State families and economic growth.” Norquist added, “Washington State will now have a fighting chance to lighten the burden of the heavy hand of government and give its families and businesses a much better deal.” 

Taking the reins at WPC marks a return to the state of Washington for the Gallagher family. Two of his children were born in Washington and he served Congressman Rick White as his chief of staff. “On a personal level, it is fantastic to return to our roots in Washington State,” said Gallagher. “It was policy that took us from the state to serve Congressman Rick White in 1994, and to serve as Assistant Secretary in the Commerce Department for President Bush – and it is policy that leads us back to the state today.”

Washington Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through free market solutions.

###

FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH MIKE GALLAGHER,

PLEASE CONTACT WPC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR,

DAVID BOZE 425-248-1408.