Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer electronics companies and owning and producing the continent’s largest annual tradeshow, the International CES.

Shapiro led the industry in its successful transition to HDTV.

He is a charter inductee to the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers, and received its highest award as the industry leader most influential in advancing HDTV.

Gary is also the chairman of the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC). He led the manufacturers’ battle to preserve the legality of recording technology and consumer fair use rights.

Gary leads a staff of 140 employees and thousands of industry volunteers and has testified before Congress on technology and business issues more than 20 times.

Gary is the author of the bestselling book The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream.

Prior to joining the CEA, Gary was an associate at the law firm of Squire Sanders. He also has worked on Capitol Hill, as an assistant to a member of Congress.

He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate with a double major in economics and psychology from Binghamton University.

He is married to a retina surgeon—which is perhaps why he has such a clear vision of how to restore our economy.