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Executive Moves
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please email it to: virgil@satnews.com
Orbital Promotes Jack Danko to Executive Vice President and General Manager of Space Systems Group
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Dulles/Jan. 31, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — Orbital Sciences Corp. has announced that John M. "Jack" Danko has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the company's Space Systems Group (SSG). Danko is a 14-year veteran with Orbital, having previously served as Deputy General Manager of SSG since 1999 and before that, as the head of the company's Technical Services Division in Greenbelt, MD from 1989.
Prior to joining Orbital, Danko worked at RCA's AstroElectronics Division and at OAO Corp. During his years at RCA and OAO, he held various technical and management positions on numerous satellite programs. Danko also served for four years in the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1960s. He holds a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics from Lehigh University and an M.S. degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
"I
am delighted to welcome Jack to our senior executive team," said
David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Over
the past several years, Jack has played a very prominent role in the
company's successful 'back to basics' strategy, which is focused on our
core satellite and launch vehicle products. With
his many years of outstanding service to the
company, his knowledge and insight into our customer base, and his proven
leadership abilities, Jack is the ideal person to lead SSG into its
promising future."
Orbital's
SSG is a leading builder of small- and medium-class satellites
SSG
currently has 15 satellites in various stages of design, production and
Its
customer base includes commercial, civil government and military customers
Orbital
is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of
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Radyne ComStream Appoints Richard P. Johnson as Chief Financial Officer
Phoneix/Jan. 31, 2003/Satnews/ — Radyne ComStream has announced that Richard P. Johnson has joined the company as its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Rich reports directly to Bob Fitting, CEO.
"I
am extremely pleased to have Rich join our management team and direct
Over
the past five years, Rich Johnson was co-founder and CEO of two high
Garry
Kline, the company's former Chief Financial Officer, will step into
Radyne
ComStream designs, manufactures, sells, integrates and installs
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TriPoint
Global Appoints Bill Corondan to Manage its Microwave Product Line
Newton,
NC/Jan. 30, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — TriPoint
Global Communications appointed Bill Corondan to manage its Gabriel
Microwave product line. He
will report to Gary Kanipe, Chief Operating Officer of TriPoint Global.
Corondan
comes to TriPoint Global from the Andrew Corporation where he most
recently served as Broadband Wireless Products Sales Manager.
In
making the announcement, Kanipe said, “We are very pleased to have Bill
take the helm of our new Gabriel Microwave product line.
His technical knowledge of the industry, sales skills and
successful track record for product management, marketing and development
will help us increase our global presence in this market.”
TriPoint
Global announced the acquisition of the assets of Gabriel Electronics in
November 2002. The combination of
Gabriel's and TriPoint Global's antenna solutions, applications, support
and service provides a complete offering for customers in the wireless
access and transport industry, worldwide. Gabriel's brand of terrestrial
microwave and millimeter wave antennas support voice, Internet, and data
network access and transport applications from 400 MHz to more than 40
GHz.
Corondan
served in a number of sales and management positions during his tenure at
Andrew Corporation from 1980 to 2002.
Prior to joining Andrew Corporation, Corondan worked for Motorola
Inc. of Schaumburg, Il from 1973 to 1980 in a variety of increasingly
responsible positions ranging from Microwave Field Engineer, Microwave
System Engineer, Product Consultant, and Utility Microwave Market Manager.
Corondan
holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology
from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from
the Keller Graduate School of Management.
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Jeffrey Crosby, Former DirecTV Senior Vice President, Heads Conexant's Set-Top Box Products Business
Newport Beach, Calif./Jan. 28, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — Conexant Systems, Inc., a leader in semiconductor system solutions for communications applications, has announced that Jeffrey Crosby has joined Conexant as vice president of marketing for set-top box products.
The company also said it has achieved a milestone with the shipment of its 20 millionth direct broadcast satellite (DBS) front-end chipset. These chipsets are used in set-top boxes (STBs) worldwide, and support a wide variety of applications in DVB/DSS set-top and PC receivers, personal video recorders and residential gateways.
"The shipment of our 20 millionth DBS front-end chipset is yet another example of the market demand for Conexant's satellite set-top box semiconductor solutions," said Matt Rhodes, president of Conexant's Broadband Communications segment.
"Jeff's solid business and technical industry experience in both front- and back-end solutions will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our product portfolio, and deliver complete STB systems to service providers worldwide. I am confident that under Jeff's direction we will further solidify our position as the industry's premier provider of satellite set-top box components and system solutions."
Prior to joining DirecTV in 1993, Crosby worked at Hughes Space and Communications. He received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) from the University of Idaho and his master of business administration degree (MBA) from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Crosby has been granted five patents for direct broadcast satellite-related technologies, and is also the author of several papers on space communications technology and industrial controls.
Conexant offers a comprehensive suite of digital STB components and system solutions for worldwide satellite, terrestrial and cable entertainment broadcasting networks. Supplementing its STB product offering, the company also supports a number of proprietary software solutions, and the new multimedia home platform (MHP).
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Space Imaging Announces Resignation of John Copple as CEO, Election of Robert Dalal as Acting CEO
Denver/Jan. 27, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — Space Imaging announced today that John R. Copple, CEO since 1995, has resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities. The Board of Directors has negotiated a consultant agreement with Copple under which he will continue his relationship with the company in a consulting capacity.
In a joint statement, Albert E. Smith, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, and Terry Heil, Vice President of Business Integration of Raytheon Co. , both Board members of Space Imaging, Inc., expressed their appreciation for Copple's service to the Company: "Space Imaging owes a tremendous debt to John Copple for his leadership of the company during its formative stages. Under John's leadership, Space Imaging has become recognized both in the U.S. and abroad for the unique quality of its imagery products and services. We respect John's decision to leave the company as CEO to pursue other interests, and look forward to our continuing association as he serves the company as a consultant."
Space Imaging also announced today that the Board has elected Robert Z. Dalal as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Dalal has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the company since 2001.
Space Imaging will continue to serve its existing commercial and government customer base, and provide high resolution imagery on demand to commercial and government customers with its Ikonos satellite system. The company has over 12 affiliates internationally. Space Imaging will continue independently its plan to secure adequate financing and commitments from its affiliates and customers to build Block II, the next generation imaging satellite system.
Recently, Space Imaging was awarded a National Imagery and Mapping agency contract for $120 million over three years. This is the first multi-year purchase of commercial imagery ever awarded by the agency.
Space Imaging is a leading supplier of visual information products and services derived from space imagery and aerial photography. The company launched the world's first high-resolution, commercial Earth imaging satellite, Ikonos, on Sept. 24, 1999. Other products are produced from the Indian Remote Sensing satellites, the U.S. Landsat satellites and Canada's Radarsat.
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KVH Names Daniel Conway as Vice President, Business Development
Middletown, R.I./Jan. 27, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — KVH Industries has announced that it has hired Daniel Conway as the company's new Vice President, Business Development for Military & Industrial Products.
"Daniel Conway brings a proven record of expanding an organization's revenue base through the development and cultivation of new business opportunities," said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH president and chief executive officer. "His combination of leadership and business success in high-technology markets will be a tremendous addition to KVH's Military & Industrial Business Group."
Conway comes to KVH from BENTHOS Inc., an oceanographic technology company with customers in the marine, oil and gas, government, and scientific markets. Previously, he spent 20 years at Anteon (formerly Analysis & Technology). While there, he served in a variety of positions, including vice president for new business development and integration, and oversaw the successful capture of more than $135 million in new contracts.
"KVH's defense-related navigation products and fiber optic technology enjoy a well-earned reputation for technological innovation, versatility, and outstanding quality worldwide," said Conway. "While KVH's tactical navigation and fiber optic systems are already established solutions for U.S. and allied military forces as well as commercial and industrial customers around the globe, there is significant opportunity for continued growth. We will pursue ongoing programs as well as totally new initiatives that make the best use of KVH's award-winning technology and resources. I'm very excited to be working with the experienced and proven team here at KVH Industries to take this business to the next level."
Conway is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with post-graduate studies in nuclear engineering, and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Rhode Island. He served for 5 years as a member of the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine force and was a commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve (Naval Intelligence) for more than 10 years.
KVH Industries, Inc., designs and manufactures products that enable mobile communication, navigation, and precision pointing through the use of its proprietary mobile satellite antenna and fiber optic technologies. The company is developing next-generation systems with greater precision, durability, and versatility for communications, navigation, and industrial applications.
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Atlanta/Jan. 24, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — EMS Technologies, Inc. has announced the election of Hermann Buerger and John L. Woodward, Jr. as additional members of its Board of Directors.
Buerger is a senior executive with Commerzbank AG. He is a Commerzbank Regional Board Member, and currently is CEO of that German bank's operations throughout the Americas. A resident of New York, Buerger is also a director of Ptek Holdings, Inc., a member of the International Advisory Board of Unibanco of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Wharton Real Estate Center. He has previously served as a Trustee of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and as Vice Chairman of the Institute of International Bankers.
Woodward recently retired as a Lieutenant General with 34 years' experience in the United States Air Force. During his Air Force career, he had a wide variety of assignments related to communications and command and control systems, including experience with space operations and acquisition management. His last assignment prior to retirement was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Information, and Deputy Chief Information Officer, at Air Force Headquarters in Washington.
John B. Mowell, Chairman of the Board, stated, "We are very pleased to be able to add Hermann Buerger and Jack Woodward to our Board. Each brings extensive experience in working quite successfully in areas of great importance to EMS. Hermann's long background in banking and finance is certain to be valuable in the Board's oversight of EMS's financial structure and reporting, and in his intended role as Chairman of the Audit Committee. Also, as a businessman active in international trade and finance, he will be able to provide guidance and perspective for our steadily expanding international operations, particularly in key South American markets."
Mowell continued, "Jack Woodward's career combines cutting-edge communications technology with the processes by which our armed services develop, implement and manage systems meeting their needs. We believe he is uniquely qualified for a key role as the Board considers the company's plans for developing technologies and its initiatives for further participation in military marketing opportunities.
"The addition of each of these new Board members is the product of the Board's continuing effort to broaden its capabilities, and to marshal resources to more effectively generate shareholder value from the company's exceptional technologies and reputation in its key markets," Mowell concluded.
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Los Angeles/January 16, 2003/Satnews Daily/ — CA Zero Gravity Corp., a new and innovative U.S. space entertainment and tourism company, has tapped longtime Washington DC operative Alan Ladwig to be Chief Executive Officer and VP for Government Operations. Ladwig will implement the company’s business plan and represent ZERO-G® with NASA, the Administration, foreign governments, U.S. Congress, state governments and associations. He will be based in Washington, DC.
ZERO-G, with headquarters in Los Angeles, Calif., is the first private company approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration to offer commercial parabolic flight in the United States. For years, NASA has safely employed its parabolic KC-135 aircraft to train astronauts and prepare experiments for spaceflight. Beginning in March 2003, ZERO-G will use a specially modified Boeing 727 aircraft to make the excitement and unique environment of weightlessness accessible to the public in a safe and affordable fashion. Parabolic flight is the only way to create sustained weightlessness without going into space. But this experience has never before been available to the public in the United States. ZERO-G will market the weightless environment to the scientific, corporate, education, film and music industries.
Specially-trained ZERO-G pilots will fly the parabolic flight maneuvers between 24,000 and 32,000 feet. The maneuver is somewhat like a roller coaster in that the plane is initially pulled up to approximately 45 degrees 'nose high,' and then 'pushed over' to begin the zero-gravity segment of the parabolas. For the next 25-30 seconds, everything in the plane is weightless.
"Alan Ladwig is well respected throughout Washington for his knowledge of the space industry and his management abilities," said ZERO-G CEO Dr. Peter Diamandis. "He will lead ZERO-G in supporting the space community's efforts to privatize and commercialize space tourism." Ladwig also maintains one of the world's greatest collections of space toys and memorabilia.
Alan Ladwig served at NASA Headquarters from 1994-1999 as the Associate Administrator of Policy and Plans where he was responsible for the NASA Strategic Management System, the History Division, and operations of the NASA Advisory Council. He served as program manager for NASA's Space Flight Participant Program (including the Teacher in Space and Journalist in Space programs), Mid-deck Experiments Program, Non-Scientific Payload Program, Corporate Payload Specialist Program, and Shuttle Student Involvement Program. He also established and served as Director of Special Projects for the Office of Exploration. Most recently, Ladwig served as VP for Washington Operations and Assistant to Chairman Lou Dobbs of SPACE.com. Prior to 1994, Ladwig served as an analyst at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
Ladwig earned a BS in speech, and a master's in higher education from Southern Illinois University and an AS Business degree from Elgin Community College. He served in the 558th USA Artillery Group, Athens, Greece from 1972-74. He is the recipient of NASA's Distinguished Service Medal, NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and three NASA Group Achievement Awards.
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NDS Appoints Christopher Yap As Business Development Director Asia Pacific
Hong
Kong, SAR/January
15,
2003/Satnews Daily/
— NDS Group plc, a News
Corporation company that provides technology solutions for digital pay-TV,
has announced the appointment of Christopher Yap Boon Yee as Business
Development Director Asia Pacific.
In
this newly created position, Yap is responsible for spearheading business
development activities into new accounts in the region.
As a senior member of the NDS Asia Pacific management team, he will
be instrumental in formulating the regional sales strategy and maximizing
the resources of NDS Asia Pacific’s strong technical support and
delivery teams in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul and Sydney.
Yap
has over eight years experience in sales and engineering positions in the
Asian broadcasting industry, and he brings his customers a wealth of
experience in digital broadcasting systems architecture and design.
Yap previously held senior-level positions with Nagravision and
Barco based in Singapore.
“Chris
Yap’s strong commercial experience will help NDS leverage our existing
deployments in the region. A key
part of his mandate will be to expand the NDS offering in Asia Pacific to
include the services of NDS companies Orbis and Visionik, leaders in the
areas of interactive gambling and gaming systems,” said Sue Taylor, Vice
President and General Manager, NDS Asia Pacific.
NDS Group plc supplies open end-to-end digital pay-TV solutions for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to television set-top boxes and internet devices.
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