Arlington, VA—This month, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recognizes the achievements and celebrates the 90th birthday of Jack Wayman. Wayman, best known for guiding the association to create and produce the first International CES in 1967, was CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro’s predecessor as head of the organization now called the Consumer Electronics Association from 1962 to 1983.
Throughout his 60-year career in the consumer electronics (CE) industry, Wayman has served in a variety of retail, wholesale and trade association positions.
“Jack Wayman is an industry visionary who paved the way for the successful show that CES is today,” said Shapiro. “Jack has always been at the forefront of both national and local legislation affecting our industry, and was instrumental in defeating the motion picture industry’s attempt to stop the marketing of the VCR in the Sony Betamax case. We honor his achievements and celebrate his successes on this his 90th birthday.”
Wayman received virtually every award and recognition in the electronics industry, including the Electronic Industries Association’s Distinguished Service Medal, the B’nai B’rith Electronic Industries Award, the United Jewish Appeal Electronics Award and Dealerscope’s Merchandising Career Achievement Award. He was inducted into the first class of the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame and also into the Electronic Industries Hall of Fame and Video Hall of Fame. Named Man of the Year by several trade publications, Wayman was also chosen Man of the Decade by Audio/Video magazine. A combat infantry company commander from the Normandy invasion to the Battle of the Bulge through the end of World War II, Wayman has many medals, including two Purple Hearts and awards from France and Belgium.
Jack Wayman will be profiled in the July/August edition of CEA’s Vision magazine, and his industry friends will honor his birthday in conjunction with CE week in New York City on June 27. ce.org
