• Gilat Satellite Networks and Hispasat recruit new CIOs.
  • Dave McGowan becomes CFO at Rivada Space Networks.
  • Eutelsat and Intelsat fill out slew of directorial roles with internal appointments.
  • Viasat continues to make team tweaks after Inmarsat merger.

SatCo people moves: CIO switch-ups at Gilat, Hispasat

SatCo people moves: CIO switch-ups at Gilat, Hispasat

Source: Freepik / tawatchai07

Aalto

  • Fabio Passavanti has joined Aalto as Head of IT, having previously been Head of Technology at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a charity focused on promoting media freedom.

Aalto is the high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) business created by commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Its flagship offering is the solar-powered Zephyr HAPS platform, which it claims can maintain flight for 64 consecutive days.

AST SpaceMobile

  • Lenny Talerico has been named Launch & Early-Orbit Phase Director at AST SpaceMobile, changing from his last role as On-Orbit Anomaly Director.

SpaceMobile aims to launch the first space-based cellular broadband network and has tied with several mobile network operators on commercial and technical partnerships, including AT&T, Rakuten Mobile, and Vodafone. Launched in September 2022, its BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite is already being tested alongside MNO partners.

Eutelsat

  • Eutelsat has filled three new directorial roles, taken from its internal pool of staff. Firstly, Daniele Capirone is now Director of Telecoms Systems & Solutions, having last served as Satellite System Engineering & Integration Manager. Secondly, Sergio Goterris has become Director of Sales Connectivity for Strategic Programmes at Eutelsat, following a stint as Head of Service Delivery in Europe at Eutelsat Konnect Broadband, the Group’s internet services arm operating in Africa and Europe. Finally, Ciro Milite has been appointed Director of Data & Digital Service Management, shifting from his last position as Head of Digital Service Management & Monitoring.
  • Pasquale Settanni has been named Head of Monitoring, Operations Automation & IT Service Management at Eutelsat, joining from his previous position as Head of Ground Segment Monitoring at Skylogic, another Eutelsat broadband services subsidiary focused on connecting small- and medium-size enterprises as well as consumers.

Created in 1977, Eutelsat manages a fleet of 34 satellites for the broadcasting, government, internet services, telecoms, and video service sectors. It plans to bring three more satellites into service in 2023, with other launches planned for 2024 (Eutelsat 36D) and 2026 (Flexsat).

Gilat Satellite Networks

Lior Moyal

Lior Moyal

Source: Gilat Satellite Networks

  • Nir Blau has moved to Gilat Satellite Networks as Director of Strategic Accounts Management, having latterly worked as Vice-President of Sales at anti-drone solutions developer Skylock.
  • Gilat has made two further changes to its C-suite, following several tweaks made by the Group over the last couple of months. Firstly, Yoav Dotan is the new Chief Information Officer, switching from his spot as Global VP of Management Information Systems, IT & Security at sports media solutions provider LiveU. Secondly, Lior Moyal has been appointed Chief People Officer, shifting from her last role as Senior VP of Human Resources.
Gilat Satellite Networks management, August 2023
ExecutiveRoleDate of appointment
 Source: Gilat Satellite Networks.

Adi Sfadia

Chief Executive

November 2020

Gilad Landsberg

Chief Operating Officer

June 2023

Ron Levin

Chief Commercial Officer

July 2023

Gil Benyamini

Chief Financial Officer

January 2022

Yoav Dotan

CIO

August 2023

Doron Kerbel

General Counsel

September 2022

Aharon Mullokandov

Senior VP, Research & Development

May 2022

Hagay Katz

Chief Product & Marketing Officer

August 2021

Lior Moyal

Chief People Officer

July 2020

Arieh Rohrstock

Corporate SVP & General Manager, Peru

October 2015

Bob Huffman

SVP & General Manager, Wavestream

September 2021

  • In addition to its management team adjustments, Gilat brought in Amir Ofek to join its Board of Directors. Ofek currently serves as CEO at IT and cybersecurity software-as-a-service provider AxoniusX, and is a board member at various other organisations, including venture capital funds Planven Entrepreneur Ventures and YL Ventures, as well as network threat detection company WireX Systems.

Gilat focuses on very-high throughput satellites and non-geostationary orbit constellations and looks to improve Internet of Things connectivity and provide 5G and mobile edge computing to its remote sites.

Hispasat

  • Javier Martinez Diez has been named CIO at Hispasat, switching from his position as Transformation Officer. In his previous role, Diez was tasked with leading the Group’s transformation efforts as part of its 2021–2025 strategic plan, which saw Hispasat put greater emphasis on its managed services business, which represented 15% of total Group revenue for the year ended 31 March 2022 (FY21–22).

Hispasat is led by CEO Miguel Ángel Panduro Panadero, and focuses on providing broadband and mobile connectivity in Europe, Northern Africa, and the USA. It has particularly sunk its hooks into Portugal and Spain, where it offers television transmission services, among others.

Inmarsat–Viasat

  • Kevin Beer has become VP of Global Network Solutions at Inmarsat Government, having served as Senior Director in the same area since 2017.
  • Another set of leadership changes have been made following the Inmarsat–Viasat merger. This includes Kiley Dominie’s move to become Director of Operational Risk at Viasat, having last served as Manager of Network Development at Inmarsat. Federico Shrewsbury also took a new role as Director of Provisioning Systems at Viasat, after working as Inmarsat’s Aero Service Design Manager since January 2016. Furthermore, Jerome Soumagne has been appointed Chief Engineer & VP of Systems Engineering at Viasat, swapping his remit from Chief Engineer & VP of Networks at Inmarsat.
  • Alexander Torbica has been promoted to become Senior Commercial Strategy Director at Viasat, shifting up from his last position as Product Strategy Director.

Viasat recently closed out its acquisition of Inmarsat, meeting a completion target of the end of May. The pair are working to integrate their assets, which include Inmarsat’s 13 GEO satellites, and Viasat’s six launched satellites. This includes its most recent deployment of ViaSat-3 Americas, which has since seen some operational issues. It is led by CEO Mark Dankberg.

Intelsat

  • Alex Adam is now Senior Account Director for European Government & Space at Intelsat, having previously been Senior Key Account Director for Mobility in Europe.
  • Vibi Bavan has been promoted to become Director of Platform Solutions Management at Intelsat, up from his last spot as Senior Manager of Platform Service Management.

Intelsat operates 52 satellites and develops solutions for the aviation, government, maritime, media, and telecoms sectors. It claims to provide coverage across 99% of the world’s population.

OneWeb

  • Malcolm Fitzwilliams has been named Director of Partner Marketing at OneWeb, changing gears from his prior work as Director of Content & Brand Campaigns.

Based in the UK and helmed by CEO Neil Masterson, OneWeb operates a global satellite network of 648 low-Earth orbit satellites placed in 18 synchronised orbits, aiming to deliver global coverage by the end of 2023.

Rivada Space Networks

Donald Chew

Donald Chew

Source: Rivada Space Networks

  • Donald Chew has been recruited by Rivada Space Networks to serve as VP of Sales for the Asia-Pacific region, moving from a Consultant position at satcomms provider AsiaSat.
  • Rivada Space Networks has named Dave McGowan as its new CFO, switching him from his previous role as SVP of Finance at Rivada Networks, Space Networks’ terrestrial-focused parent company. McGowan previously served as acting CFO at Rivada Networks between July 2019 and August 2020, a role that is now held by Doug Lynn.

Rivada Space Networks aims to establish and operate a constellation of 600 LEO satellites, named OuterNET. The satellites are set to be launched between 2025 and 2028, with service expected to begin in 2026.

Telesat

  • Eric Choinière has been promoted to become Director of LEO Systems Design & Modelling at Telesat, having previously been Manager in the same area.
  • Joe Ducey is now Director of Landing Stations Programme Management at Telesat, moving up from his last spot as Programme Manager for Landing Stations.
  • Ken Skublics has become VP of Space Programmes & Operations at Telesat, following a 15-year run as Director in the same field.

Based in Canada, Telesat operates 13 geostationary satellites as well as its Lightspeed constellation of 188 LEO satellites, which aim to provide “ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity links with fibre-like speeds”.

Ecosystem

Maxar Technologies

  • Peter Greene has been named Director of Advanced Technology Development at Maxar Technologies, having previously served as Principal Systems Architect.

Based in the USA and helmed by President and CEO Daniel Jablonsky, Maxar Technologies designs and manufactures various space-related technologies, including onboard robotics, satellite platforms, and imaging and monitoring solutions.

SpaceX

  • David Goldman has been appointed VP of Satellite Policy at SpaceX, having last been Senior Director of Satellite Policy.
  • Tracy Thomas has been promoted to become Director of Supply Chain for Launch & Recovery at SpaceX, moving up from her last position as Senior Purchasing Manager for Launch & Recovery.

Founded by 2002 and led by CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX is a spacecraft manufacturer known for its Crew Dragon, Falcon 9, and Starship rockets. It claims to have completed 252 launches since its inception.