Korn Ferry Recruits CEO for CTIA
March 14, 2025 – Korn Ferry has placed Ajit Pai as the new president and CEO of CTIA in Washington, D.C. “Ajit has played a pivotal role in leading our nation’s effort to promote broadband deployment and expand commercial access to spectrum,” said Laurent Therivel, CEO of UScellular and CTIA chairman of the board. “He is the proven leader we need to head our industry at this critical stage. CTIA is excited to welcome Ajit to help usher in an exciting new era for the wireless industry.”
Mr. 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. 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.
Mr. Pai 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.
“I am honored to lead CTIA,” said Mr. Pai. “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. 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.”
Established in 1984, CTIA represents the U.S. wireless communications industry and the companies throughout the mobile ecosystem that enable Americans to lead a 21st 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.
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Korn Ferry is a Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant and the largest globally and in the Americas. The firm’s 8,600 colleagues serve clients in more than 50 countries.
Past Assignment
Last year, Korn Ferry assisted in the recruitment of Elsayed Talaat as president and CEO of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in Washington, D.C. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Talaat as the next CEO of USRA,” said Gen Lester Lyles, chair of the board of trustees. “We firmly believe he is the ideal leader to guide the organization into its next phase of growth and success. Dr. Talaat brings extensive leadership experience and a strong track record of success from his time at NOAA, NASA, and APL, which will enhance USRA’s credibility and collaboration with these key agencies and with our University Association.”
“He has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build coalitions with both existing and prospective partners, always with a focus on addressing future customer needs,” Mr. Lyles said. “Additionally, his forward-thinking vision for leveraging USRA’s unique University Association value proposition positions the organization for continued success. We are excited to see how Dr. Talaat will build upon Dr. Isaacson’s remarkable legacy and drive USRA towards an even brighter future.”
Dr. Talaat is an accomplished leader with a strong background in Atmospheric and Space Science and well-rounded experience with NOAA, NASA, and JHU/APL. He has been responsible for programmatic and technical coordination with OSTP, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, non-Federal agendas/industries, and international partners.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
