FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty Will Be Featured Speaker at Oct. 29 Event

FOR RELEASE: July 17, 2025

Contact: Richard T. Kaplar
The Media Institute
703-506-8030

Vienna, Va., July 17, 2025 – The Media Institute will honor Hans Vestberg of Verizon and Gary Shapiro of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) at its annual “Free Speech America” Gala on Oct. 29.

Hans Vestberg will receive the American Horizon Award, while Gary Shapiro will receive the Freedom of Speech Award.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty will be the evening’s Featured Speaker.  Media Institute Board Chairman Richard E. Wiley will serve as master of ceremonies.  The event will take place at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Hans Vestberg is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon.  He is the architect of Verizon’s pioneering 5G network strategy, part of his strategic vision to create the connections that matter most to Verizon customers.  Under Mr. Vestberg’s visionary industry leadership, Verizon has made transformational investments in spectrum to ensure a vibrant future.

Gary Shapiro is an acclaimed author and speaker, and is CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association, representing more than 1,200 consumer technology companies.  A passionate First Amendment advocate, he has defended free speech in numerous interviews, articles, and speaking appearances at The Media Institute and elsewhere.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty joined the Commission in June 2025.  She brings a wealth of Capitol Hill experience in media and telecom policy, including as Policy Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and as a professional staff member on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Richard E. Wiley is a co-founder of Wiley Rein LLP, a Washington law firm known for its renowned communications practice, and now is Chairman Emeritus.  Mr. Wiley served as a Chairman, Commissioner, and General Counsel of the FCC from 1970 to 1977.

The American Horizon Award recognizes an individual for visionary leadership in the communications industry.  The Freedom of Speech Award recognizes an individual who has worked to advance free speech, a free press, and the First Amendment.

Information about sponsorship opportunities can be found on The Media Institute’s website at https://www.mediainstitute.org/2025-free-speech-america-gala/.

The Media Institute is a nonprofit foundation specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment.  For more information, visit the Institute online at www.mediainstitute.org.

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