CTIA Announces Ajit Pai as New CEO and President

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- – CTIA, the wireless industry association, today announced that Ajit Pai has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1.

Pai will join CTIA from Searchlight Capital Partners, a leading global private investment firm. He will replace Meredith Attwell Baker, who announced her retirement last December and has served in the role since 2014.

"I am honored to lead CTIA. The wireless industry is a key driver of technology innovation and investment in the U.S. And it helps advance America's global competitiveness, national security, and economic security," Pai said. "Together, we will work to ensure that our nation's spectrum and infrastructure policies promote U.S. global wireless leadership and keep consumers on the leading edge of innovation. I am thrilled to get to represent the companies across our country that are creating jobs, growing the economy, and benefiting hundreds of millions of consumers every day."

"Ajit has played a pivotal role in leading our nation's effort to promote broadband deployment and expand commercial access to spectrum. He is the proven leader we need to head our industry at this critical stage," said Laurent Therivel, CEO of UScellular and CTIA Chairman of the Board. "CTIA is excited to welcome Ajit to help usher in an exciting new era for the wireless industry." 

Prior to joining Searchlight Capital Partners in 2021, Pai served in senior leadership roles in the Federal Communications Commission for almost a decade. In particular, he was designated by President Donald Trump as Chairman of the FCC in 2017, where he advanced major initiatives to help close the digital divide, promote U.S. leadership in 5G, encourage innovation, and safeguard consumers and national security. He previously had served as a Commissioner at the FCC, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2012. Earlier in his career, Pai served in key positions at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate, and as a partner in the law firm of Jenner & Block. Pai graduated with honors from Harvard University and from the University of Chicago Law School, where he served as an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.

The executive search was conducted by Korn Ferry International.

About CTIA
CTIA^® (www.ctia.org) represents the U.S. wireless communications industry and the companies throughout the mobile ecosystem that enable Americans to lead a 21^st century connected life. The association's members include wireless carriers, device manufacturers, suppliers as well as apps and content companies. CTIA vigorously advocates at all levels of government for policies that foster continued wireless innovation and investment. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices, hosts educational events that promote the wireless industry and co-produces the industry's leading wireless tradeshow. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Jilane Rodgers Petrie, [email protected]

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SOURCE CTIA