CEA Mourns Passing Of Industry Veteran Don Bouchard

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® President and CEO Gary Shapiro released the following statement today regarding the death of consumer electronics industry veteran Don Bouchard, who passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2008:

“Don was a long-time leader in the specialty audio/video segment of the consumer electronics community. He joined CEA’s Audio Board in 2007 because he said he wanted to give back to the industry that he felt had given so much to him. Indeed, he gave a great deal of his time and talents, and made the industry better as a result. CEA benefited immeasurably from his experience and communication skills. We’ll miss his leadership and his friendship.”

Jeffrey Hipps, senior vice president of Sherwood America, Inc., and Immediate Past Chair of CEA’s Audio Division Board, added, “Wherever my friend Don Bouchard worked, his business card carried this title: Audio Evangelist. It was a fitting description. The zeal he demonstrated in his pursuit of audio excellence represented our best. With his big heart, warm manner and huge personality, Don engaged life head-on. His loss leaves a permanent hole in my heart.”

Don Bouchard was executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Ultralink/XLO, manufacturers of high-performance audio/video interconnects, cables and related power products. A 35-year veteran of the consumer electronics and A/V specialty industry, Don was a passionate audio and videophile. He also served in top sales and marketing positions with brands such as Ohm Acoustics, Dahlquist, Acoustic Research, Red Rose Music, and Cello with Mark Levinson. Educated with a degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University, Don was also a highly successful motivational speaker, spokesman and educator with clients that have included IBM, Tandy, HP, Maritz Corp. and Merrill Lynch.