ESA president Michael Gallagher to step down

The Entertainment Software Association president and CEO Michael D. Gallagher has announced his intention to step down from the role he has held since 2007.

Gallagher may be moving back into the world of politics, according to Venturebeat, with the outgoing CEO previously working in the US Department of Commerce and acting as chief technology advisor to President George W. Bush.

The sudden announcement of Gallagher’s intention to step down at the end of the month is, according to sources speaking to Variety, down to the fact he was called on to resign by the ESA’s board. There’s no confirmation of this at the time of writing, though.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, the ESA’s senior VP and general counsel will take over Gallagher’s old role in an interim fashion, until a replacement is found.

“Serving the video game industry and the ESA Board has been a tremendous honor. ESA is in a strong position to continue the work ahead. It has an excellent team, ample resources, state-of-the-art DC headquarters, and members who are fueling growth at fantastic levels. Together, we have delivered an unbroken string of victories in the states, on Capitol Hill, and before the U.S. Supreme Court, all of which bolster the industry’s ability to create and innovate. Extending and protecting that opportunity has been extraordinarily fulfilling,” Gallagher said.

The ESA was formed during the furore over the likes of Doom and Mortal Kombat way back in the misty past (the 90s), originally named the Interactive Digital Software Association. The organisation went on to create E3 and still runs the increasingly popular show to this day, and is still involved in policymaking at the highest levels in the US.