ARLINGTON, VA – March 18, 2026 – The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® will honor a powerful group of policymakers and technology innovators at its annual Digital Patriots Dinner and Consumer Technology (CT) Hall of Fame induction ceremony, on April 21, as part of CTA Tech Week in Washington, D.C. 

The 2026 Digital Patriots honorees include White House Science & Technology Advisor Michael Kratsios, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and U.S. Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA), recognized for their leadership of the bipartisan House Artificial Intelligence Task Force. The Digital Patriots awards program recognizes government leaders for their commitment to advancing policies vital to innovation in consumer technology. 

CTA will induct two tech luminaries into the CT Hall of Fame this year: gaming industry icon Reggie Fils-Aimé and technology entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian. Fils-Aimé is founder of Brentwood Growth Partners and former president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America. Ohanian is founder of Seven Seven Six & co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit. The CT Hall of Fame recognizes visionaries whose leadership and innovation have significantly shaped the consumer technology industry.  

“Technology is transforming the world around us and strengthening America’s global leadership,” said Gary Shapiro, Executive Chair and CEO, CTA. “These honorees are helping drive that progress and have demonstrated a commitment to boosting innovation and the partnerships between industry and government that make it possible.” 

“Our Digital Patriots and Hall of Fame inductees represent leaders shaping the policy and technologies that define the future,” said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. “Bringing those worlds together is core to CTA’s mission, and we are proud to celebrate the people moving innovation forward.”  

CTA will celebrate the honorees during its Digital Patriots Dinner, on Tuesday, April 21 in Washington, DC. This event takes place as part of CTA Tech Week, which brings together lawmakers and business leaders to discuss the latest developments in technology policy and features CES on the Hill, showcasing the power of technology.    

2026 Digital Patriots 

Michael Kratsios is a national technology policy expert who has advanced innovation-driven initiatives to strengthen U.S. competitiveness. At the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, he helped shape national strategies to accelerate AI, autonomous vehicles, digital health, and quantum technologies. In partnership with industry stakeholders, he promoted policies that encourage investment, protect intellectual property, and expand next-generation infrastructure. As Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Kratsios attended and spoke at CES® highlighting the President’s AI Action Plan and initiatives to reinforce America’s global technology leadership.  

Senator Rand Paul is recognized for his leadership in advancing innovation-friendly public policy and a regulatory climate that supports technology growth. His advocacy to expand broadband access, including 5G deployment, has fostered entrepreneurship and competition in emerging industries. A strong proponent of free speech, free trade, and free markets, he works to ensure U.S. tech companies can compete globally  without undue regulatory burdens.  

Representative Ted Lieu is a leading voice in Congress on technology policy, particularly around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and responsible innovation. With a background in computer science, he has championed thoughtful tech legislation and played a central role in shaping how lawmakers engage with rapidly evolving technologies. Lieu was appointed Co-Chair of the Bipartisan House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, where he helped guide the development of a comprehensive, bipartisan report with forward-looking recommendations to promote U.S. leadership in AI. 

Representative Jay Obernolte brings a rare combination of real-world tech expertise and policy leadership to Capitol Hill with his background as a video game developer and business owner. Under the guidance of Obernolte, the only serving member of Congress with a graduate-level degree in AI, the House AI Task Force convened policymakers and industry experts to promote a sector-specific, risk-based regulatory approach balancing innovation and safety. His leadership roles on key committees including the House Science Committee’s Research and Technology Subcommittee reflect his deep commitment to ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of technology. 

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees 

Reggie Fils-Aimé is a transformative leader in modern consumer technology and gaming. As President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America from 2006 to 2019, he was instrumental in the landmark launches of the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch. He previously held senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Pizza Hut, and VH1, where he championed technology-driven marketing and product innovation. A globally recognized voice in gaming and technology, he continues to shape industry through public speaking and board leadership, including his role with Brunswick Corporation, the largest marine technology company in the world, whose connected marine platforms and digital innovation have become a prominent presence at CES.  

Alexis Ohanian is a pioneering technology entrepreneur and investor whose work has helped shape the modern digital landscape. As co-founder of Reddit, he played a central role in building one of the world’s most influential platforms for online discussion, knowledge-sharing, and community collaboration. Beyond Reddit, Ohanian is the Founder and General Partner of Seven Seven Six (776), investing across technology – including AI and space tech – as well as sports and the future of community. He also continues to drive impact through the 776 Foundation, which he launched in 2022 to support climate action and equity for marginalized groups. He has engaged with Washington leaders to advocate for pro-consumer, pro-innovation technology policies. Ohanian’s influence spans technology, venture capital, and social impact, reinforcing his legacy as a champion of innovation, equity, and community empowerment. 

Through our policy work, CTA advocates for smart and strategic laws that empower innovators and remove barriers to creativity. Learn more about CTA’s Innovation Agenda for America 250.  

Media contact:
Media interested in complimentary registration for the Digital Patriots and Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, should reach out to: Laura Ambrosio; lambrosio@cta.tech. For all other non-media questions, please contact: events@cta.tech.

About Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®:   
As North America’s largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world’s leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 17 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES® – the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech.