The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) devotes many of its resources to influencing various state and federal lawmakers, so it's somewhat fitting that the trade group has turned to a Washington, D.C. insider to be its next president.

　　The ESA today announced that founding president Doug Lowenstein will be succeeded by Mike Gallagher, former assistant secretary of commerce for communications and chief telecommunications and policy advisor to the Bush administration.

　　"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, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, as well as chair of the ESA board of directors.

　　In a statement, Gallagher called it a "privilege" to represent the industry and said he looked forward "to working with federal and state leaders to foster an environment where the industry and its consumers can thrive."

　　The ESA praised Gallagher's previous achievements in the field where government and technology overlap, touting his efforts with the department of commerce to champion ultrawideband, broadband over powerlines, and millimeter wavelength networks.

　　Gallagher starts later this month, leaving behind his position as communications practice chair at Perkins Coie law firm. He has also served on the board of directors for Web hosting company GoDaddy and has been an adjunct fellow with the Progress and Freedom Foundation, which describes itself as "a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy."