Executive Moves

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PanAmSat Appoints James B. Frownfelter COO

Wilton, CT/December 23, 2002/Satnews Daily/ — PanAmSat Corp. has announced that James B. Frownfelter, PanAmSat’s current chief technology officer, has been appointed by the company’s board of directors to the position of chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2003.

Frownfelter will continue to manage PanAmSat’s technology programs, including engineering, fleet development, network operations, digital video services, space systems and product development. In addition, he will have responsibility for the overall management of the company’s operations. Frownfelter will continue to report directly to Joseph R. Wright, PanAmSat’s chief executive officer.

“Now that we have established strong momentum in the market, I will focus on growing the business and working on the future plans for PanAmSat,” said Wright. “I am confident that Jim will do an excellent job managing the company’s operations. He has the ability to keep PanAmSat in control and well managed, while further strengthening its operational functions.”

Frownfelter first became involved with PanAmSat in 1996, while serving as a senior manager of the Philip A. Rubin & Associates consulting firm in Washington, D.C. During that time, he was instrumental in developing PanAmSat’s current satellite fleet deployment and space asset procurement processes. In July 1998, Mr. Frownfelter joined PanAmSat as vice president of space systems.

Frownfelter was appointed executive vice president and chief technology officer of PanAmSat in November 2001. Since that time, he has led the overall operation of the company’s global satellite fleet and associated terrestrial facilities. He has also been responsible for the company’s identification, design and development of enhanced products and services using PanAmSat’s core satellite assets.

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Orbital Recovery Corporation Names Space Insurance Expert Kirby Ikin as its Senior Vice President - Risk Management

Washington, D.C./Sydney Australia/January 6, 2003/ — Orbital Recovery Corp. has further strengthened its management team with the appointment of Kirby Ikin as the company's Senior Vice President - Risk Management.

Ikin has extensive experience in the space insurance and risk management sectors, which he will apply to Orbital Recovery's development of a unique space tug to extend the operational lifetimes of in-orbit telecommunications satellites.

"Kirby Ikin is an industry reference, and we are proud to have him as part of our management team," Walt Anderson, Orbital Recovery Corporation's Chief Executive Officer, said. "He will be working from Orbital Recovery's new Sydney, Australia office, and also will be responsible for our Asia-Pacific business development."

Ikin was a space insurance underwriter at GIO in Australia for 10 years, and became Managing Director of GIO Space in 1998. He subsequently was responsible for the planned commercial operations at the Asia-Pacific Space Centre, and continued on its board after returning full time to Austen Greer Consulting.

Active for many years in the Australian space industry, Ikin currently is a member of the federal government's International Space Advisory Group - which is advising the Australian Prime Minister's office on space policy and industry development. He also is Chairman of the Board of the U.S.-based National Space Society.

Orbital Recovery Corporation is developing its Geosynch Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLESTM) as a novel concept to significantly prolong the operating lifetimes of valuable telecommunications satellites - which today are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out. In addition, the SLES will be used to rescue spacecraft that have been placed in a wrong orbit by their launch vehicles, or which have become stranded in an incorrect orbital location during positioning maneuvers.

Definition work on the SLES has been completed, and Orbital Recovery Corporation is creating its industrial team by seeking competitive bids for spacecraft hardware and systems from international suppliers. First flight of the SLES is targeted for 2004.

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The Yankee Group Names Former Vice Chairman Berge Ayvazian to Senior Research Fellow Position

Boston/Satnews/ — The Yankee Group has named Berge Ayvazian to senior research fellow effective January 1, 2003. Ayvazian most recently served as strategy director for Reuters research and advisory. "This is an era of major upheaval in the technology sector," said Brian Adamik, president and CEO.

"Many senior research executives are stepping down from the front line. But in this most senior research capacity, Berge will be a significant driver of the Yankee Group's research and thought leadership, reinforcing the
content and expertise of multiple research groups and mentoring analysts."

Additionally, Ayvazian returns to his role as a foremost senior industry analyst and, consultant, as well as a and principal public spokesperson for the Yankee Group. Specifically, he will be actively engaged in many activities directed to current and prospective clients, and will assisting with new business development, high impact public speaking, and as well as the delivery and execution of large consulting projects.

Ayvazian's role will focus on driving the Yankee Group's global thought leadership, by working closely with the Yankee Group's diverse research groups as a strategic resource, and guiding the growth of the firm's planning services, tools, consulting, and events businesses.

With 16 years at the Yankee Group and 8 years of research and consulting experience at Kalba Bowen Associates, Ayvazian has vast experience directed more than 100 consulting projects, forecasting product and service markets, assessing strategy and analyzing investment opportunities in the telecommunications, wireless, computer, Internet, cable, and broadcast TV industries. He has also directed more than 100 consulting projects.  

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Druyun Joins Boeing as Deputy General Manager for Missile Defense Systems

St. Louis/Jan. 3, 2003/Satnews/ — A former top U.S. Air Force acquisition official has joined Boeing (NYSE: BA) to help lead the company's missile defense business headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Darleen Druyun, who recently served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for Air Force acquisition and management, will report directly to James Evatt, senior vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, one of nine business units within Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

In her new role, Druyun will assist Evatt in the operations and execution of the company's missile defense programs. Those programs include Boeing's role as the prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment and the industry lead for the Missile Defense National Team Systems Engineering and Integration effort, as well as the company's work on the Patriot antimissile system, Sea-based Midcourse system and the Airborne Laser program where Boeing is also the prime contractor.

"Darleen Druyun helped drive acquisition reform within the Air Force. Her 'Lightning Bolt' initiatives, which jump-started the reform process, have saved the U.S. Air Force and taxpayers more than $20 billion to date," Evatt said. "Her personal passion and drive are well known within the defense industry, and we expect her to be a key player in our future success."

Prior to serving with the U.S. Air Force, Druyun was the chief of staff for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and had also served as the agency's associate administrator for procurement.  Druyun earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Chaminade and is a graduate of the Harvard Executive Security Management Program.  She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gen. Bernard A. Schriever Award from the Air Force Association and the Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers.

It is a leading provider of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-base communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.  

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VisionTV Welcomes New Board Members

Satnews/ — Dr. Irving Abella, Chair of VisionTV's Board of Directors, has announced the appointment of two new Board members.

The new appointees bring to the network considerable expertise in areas ranging from television programming and production to government relations.

Susan Millican has more than 20 years of experience in television journalism, production and management. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Winnipeg-based National Screen Institute - Canada, a prestigious training school for writers, producers and directors working in film and TV, and serves as International Business and Program Consultant for U.S. broadcaster Oxygen Media. Previously, she held the position of Vice President, Programming for the popular specialty television service WTN. A graduate of the Creative Communications program at Winnipeg's Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology, Ms. Millican began her career at the CBC, where she became an award-winning documentary producer.

She has also worked as an instructor in Television Production and Journalism at Red River College. Ms. Millican has received numerous honours, including the Canadian Women in Communication Mentorship Award, and the Gordon Sinclair Award "for integrity and outspoken opinion in broadcasting."

Donald A. Obonsawin has enjoyed a distinguished career as a senior civil servant with the governments of Ontario and Canada, and has a wealth of knowledge in planning, policy development and public-private partnerships, among other areas. In 1987, at the age of 36, Mr. Obonsawin was appointed a Deputy Minister for the Province of Ontario, and served in this capacity for seven different Ontario government ministries over the 15 years prior to his recent retirement. Within the federal civil service, he held senior positions in Health and Welfare Canada and Indian Affairs and Northern Development. His varied career also includes experience as a university administrator and lecturer, arts administrator, television host and newspaper reporter. Mr. Obonsawin has a lifelong passion for the cultural industries sector, which culminated in his appointment as Ontario Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in 2001. A member of the Abenaki First Nation, he has an ongoing interest in governance and public policy issues, and continues to serve on a variety of boards and advisory committees. Mr. Obonsawin has earned a number of awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Laurentian University in 1999.

Bill Roberts, President and CEO of VisionTV, joins Dr. Abella in welcoming these new Board members: "Their knowledge and insight will help us to continue building on the network's strong foundation, as we seek to answer the spiritual needs of a changing Canadian population."

VisionTV is an independent, not-for-profit public service broadcaster dedicated to programming that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding and tolerance among people of different faiths and cultures.

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Marsocci Named Vice President of Communications at Hughes Electronics

El Segundo, CA/December 17, 2002/Satnews/ — Bob Marsocci has been named vice president of corporate communications for Hughes Electronics Corporation. He will retain his position as senior director of communications for DirecTV, Inc., a subsidiary of Hughes, and continue to serve as a DirecTV spokesperson.

Marsocci succeeds George Jamison, who has been named vice president of communications at United Technologies Corporation. Marsocci, who will oversee Hughes' external communications strategy, will report to Jack A. Shaw, president and chief executive officer of Hughes. He will also be a member of the Hughes Management Committee.

"In his years with DirecTV, Bob has worked closely with the management of Hughes, and brings to his new position a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and a keen understanding of our business. His familiarity with both the Hughes and DirecTV communication teams will make this transition a smooth one," said Shaw.

Marsocci, 38, joined DirecTV during its start-up phase in November 1995 as senior manager, communications. Increasing his responsibility, he was named director of communications in October 1998 and senior director of communications in June 2001. In his current role, he oversees the execution of DirecTV's communications and media relations strategy. DirecTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service provider with more than 11 million customers.

Before joining DirecTV, Marsocci was a senior account supervisor for Hill and Knowlton, Inc. He joined Hill and Knowlton in September 1990 as senior account executive after serving as account executive at the GCI Group for three years.

Marsocci graduated the University of Rhode Island in 1986 with a bachelor of arts degree.

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Jean-Jacques Dordain Named Director General of ESA
 
11 December 2002/Satnews/ — The Council of the European Space Agency has announced the appointment of Jean-Jacques Dordain as the next Director General of ESA, for a period of four years. He will succeed Antonio Rodotà, whose term of office ends on 30 June next year.

Jean-Jacques Dordain, a Frenchman born on 14 April 1946, obtained an engineering degree from the Ecole Centrale in 1968. Before joining ESA in 1986, he held several positions at the Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA): first, from 1970 to 1976, as researcher in the field of propulsion and launch vehicles; then, from 1976 to 1986, as coordinator of space activities; and finally, from 1983 to 1986, as Director of Fundamental Physics. In 1977 he was selected by CNES among the first French astronaut candidates.

When he joined ESA in May 1986, he was appointed Head of the newly created Space Station and Platforms Promotion and Utilisation Department. He then became Head of the Microgravity and Columbus Utilisation Department, managing about 80 staff and overseeing numerous industrial activities. In 1993 he was appointed Associate Director for Strategy, Planning and International Policy. In May 1999 he was appointed Director of the newly created Directorate of Strategy and Technical Assessment. On 15 February 2001 he took up the post of Director of Launchers.

"I feel very honored to have been appointed Director General of ESA and welcome this challenging opportunity. I have been working for the European Space Agency in various positions over the years. The current period offers good opportunities for ESA to be even more instrumental in building the future of European citizens and the success of Europe" said Dordain.

Jean-Jacques Dordain is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Académie des Technologies. He has also held professorships at the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Techniques Avancées.

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Northrop Grumman Names Presidents of Two New Operating Sectors

Donald C. Winter to Head Mission Systems Sector

D. C. Winter

Los Angeles/Dec. 13, 2003/Satnews/ — Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) has announced the appointments of two presidents to lead two new operating sectors created from the company's acquisition of TRW, Inc.

Donald C. Winter, 54, has been named a corporate vice president and president of the Northrop Grumman Mission Systems sector, formerly TRW Systems, where he served as president and chief executive officer. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, with expected 2003 revenues of $3.9 billion, employs approximately 16,000 people and is headquartered in Reston, Va. 

T.W. Hannemann W. Bush

Timothy W. Hannemann to Retire as Head of Space Technology Sector; Wesley G. Bush to Succeed Hannemann

Timothy W. Hannemann, 59, has announced his intention to retire as president of the Northrop Grumman Space Technology sector, formerly TRW Space and Electronics, on Jan. 31, 2003. Effective Feb. 1, 2003, Wesley G. Bush, 41, will become corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Space Technology.  The sector, headquartered in Redondo Beach, Calif., has 2003 estimated revenues of $2.5 billion and employs approximately 8,600 employees.

"We are pleased to have such highly qualified executives to lead our two new operating sectors," said Kent Kresa, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "These two operating sectors join us with tremendous momentum, having won several large contracts in the past few months."

Commenting on Tim Hannemann, Northrop Grumman President and Chief Operating Officer Ronald D. Sugar said, "Over the past 33 years Tim has made remarkable contributions to TRW and is a recognized leader in the national security and civilian space industry. He has superbly positioned TRW's space and electronics business for continued growth and prosperity.  We wish Tim well in his much-deserved retirement."

Sugar continued, "As a longtime colleague of both Don and Wes, I know firsthand of their outstanding capabilities. Don's proven leadership, strong technical background and excellent relationships with his customers will help our new Mission Systems sector continue to produce strong results."

Winter has served as president and CEO of TRW Systems since January 2000. A 28-year company veteran, Winter has also held senior systems engineering and program management positions for a variety of space system programs.

"Wes Bush has extensive management experience across a broad spectrum of the space business which makes him well qualified to lead our Space Technology sector as it begins work on some of its largest and most important new programs," Sugar added.

Bush most recently served as president and CEO of TRW Aeronautical Systems prior to its October 2002 sale to Goodrich Corporation.  Previously, Bush spent 15 years at TRW Space & Electronics, where he had broad technology and operational experience in a series of management positions, leading to a vice president and deputy assignment. He also served as vice president and general manager of TRW's Telecommunications Programs Division, where he was responsible for developing and producing advanced satellite and terrestrial wireless communications.

Winter earned a Bachelor of Science degree (with highest distinction) in physics from the University of Rochester. He received a Master of Science degree and a doctorate in physics from the University of Michigan.

Bush earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he is a graduate of the UCLA Anderson School Executive Management Program.

Northrop Grumman is a $25 billion global defense company, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With approximately 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.  

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Comsat International Names H. Brian Thompson And George M. Kappaz to Executive Management

Bethesda, Md./Dec. 19, 2002/Satnews/ —  Comsat International (CI), one of the largest independent telecommunications operators with operations throughout Latin America, today announced top appointments to its executive management team, effective January 1, 2003. H. Brian Thompson, a veteran senior executive of the international telecommunications industry, was named chairman of CI, and George M. Kappaz, current chairman of CI's holding company, Comsat International Holdings, LLC (CIH), was appointed CI's president and chief executive officer.

Commenting on the new leadership appointments, Tim Harmon, interim president and CEO of CI, and a principal in its holding company, said, "Attracting the right management team is more important than ever before. We are fortunate to be able to bring together such an eminently qualified and reputable team to lead Comsat International at this new juncture in its history of serving a venerable and loyal customer base."

H. Brian Thompson, who heads his own private equity investment and advisory firm, Universal Telecommunications, Inc., was previously chairman and  CEO of Global TeleSystems Group, Inc. He also served as chairman and CEO of Virginia-based LCI International, Inc. from 1991 through 1998, and is widely credited for leading the transformation of a money-losing, debt-laden, US$200 million long distance company into a US$2 billion national, top competitor ranked among FORTUNE's 100 fastest-growing companies. In 1998, Thompson merged LCI, with an enterprise value of more than US$5 billion, with Qwest.

A former executive vice president of MCI Communications Corp. from 1981 to 1990, Thompson had responsibility for the company's eight operating  divisions, including MCI International. During his 10 years with MCI as a senior executive, he contributed greatly to that company's growth from a US$230 million to an US$8 billion enterprise. Additionally, Thompson was instrumental in the internationalization of MCI's network, its customer base and relationships with other carriers through the acquisition of Western Union International.  For the Irish government, he chaired commissions on information technology and telecommunications, the results of which impacted the formulation of public policy in that country.

Thompson currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Bell Canada International Inc., DynCorp, ArrayComm, Inc., Axcelis Technologies, Inc., and United Auto Group. He also co-chairs the Global Information Infrastructure Commission, chartered in Brussels in 1995. He spent his early career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, received his MBA from Harvard's Graduate School of Business, and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts.

George M. Kappaz is the current chairman of CI's holding company, Comsat International Holdings, LLC (CIH), a privately held telecommunications investment company. CIH acquired Comsat International from Lockheed Martin Corporation in October 2002.

Kappaz has extensive experience acquiring, building, and managing companies worldwide, including successes in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He has significant international general management and transaction experience, having led ventures which have raised billions of dollars in debt and equity financing. He led the company from inception through its successful sale in 2000. Considered a pioneer in emerging markets private power generation, the company had significant operations around the world, including in Latin America, where it implemented the region's first major privately owned power plant. 

Kappaz currently serves on the board of Signafor, Inc., an IP switching technology company, and is a senior advisor to Cambridge Energy Research Associates, and China 2 Net, an international consortium formed to develop a 3-G wireless network in China. 

Kappaz was Vice President of K&M Engineering and Consulting Corporation, and worked in international banking earlier in his career.  He holds an engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a graduate degree in business from Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. 

Currently headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Comsat International was previously owned by Lockheed Martin Corp. The company provides international data and voice communications services to over 2,000 commercial customers and other telecommunications carriers through a fully integrated fiber, wireless, and satellite network.

The company generated an estimated $100 million in 2001 revenue, employs over 400 people, and has operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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Loral Skynet Names Howard Farr Managing Director, Europe

Bedminster, NJ/December 4, 2002/Satnews/ — Loral Skynet, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (NYSE: LOR), has announced that Howard Farr has been named managing director of Europe. In this position, Farr will lead a team responsible for selling Loral Skynet satellite, network and professional services to customers in the European region. Based in Loral Skynet's London office, Farr will report to Rick Mortellaro, vice president, global sales.

Farr, 42, joins Loral Skynet with extensive experience in the satellite industry. Most recently, he was vice president of European sales at New Skies Satellites. Prior to that, Farr worked at Orion Network Systems as director of European sales and held similar positions with Telewest, VMX (UK) Limited and British Telecom.

Farr has sold satellite services to end-users, in-country agents and resellers in support of Internet backbone connectivity, DVB/IP platforms and similar applications. He has a broad-based business background that includes expertise in commercial contracts, consultancy, engineering, finance, general management, and sales and marketing. He resides in the United Kingdom with his wife and two children.

Loral Skynet of Bedminster, New Jersey is a leading satellite communications services provider that offers its customers a complete portfolio of satellite transponder, networking and professional services from one source. Skynet operates one of the world's largest and fastest-growing fleets of telecommunications satellites, providing high-volume communications and data transmission services to broadcasting, cable TV, Internet and industrial companies around the world. Through its network services product family's global IP multicast network and fiber assets, Skynet provides high-quality data, voice, video and Internet backbone connectivity services to multinational enterprises and service providers, including carriers and Internet service providers. Loral Skynet's fleet of seven satellites covers the globe and three more satellites are in the late stages of construction. 

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Genesis Networks Names VP, International Sales

New York/Satnews/ — Philip McInnes was named Vice President, International Sales, at Genesis Networkssm, Inc, a provider of international video transmission services for broadcasting and cable companies. McInnes manages sales to international clients and is responsible for expanding the Genesis Networks’ presence in overseas transmission markets.

Previously, McInnes was President and COO of International Telecommunications and Networks Inc., a Los Angeles, CA. company providing transponder leasing as well as international satellite and optical fiber transmission. From 1990-1995, he was Executive VP, International Sales and Business Development, for IDB Communications Group Inc., in Culver City, CA.  Earlier he managed Intelsat’s worldwide inventory of transponder leases and projects associated with major international events, including the first Reagan/Gorbachev Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland.  McInnes began his career with British Telecom in 1970, ultimately reaching the level of Executive Engineer Satellite Services.   

McInnes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the South Bank University in London, England, with postgraduate study in Applied Mathematics and Spacecraft Technology and Design.

Genesis Networks is a new global video service provider, providing media and corporate clients full-time local, domestic and international transmission services as well as occasional feeds for news and special events. The Genesis fiber optic network connects major international broadcast hubs and provides access to satellites through teleports and transportable uplinks.   Genesis provides customers unsurpassed control over the bandwidth, routing and scheduling of their transmission along with the flexibility to move their bandwidth as they need it among locations on their network.

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Mott, Truly, Tyson Join Space Foundation Board of Directors

Colorado Springs, Colo./Dec. 20, 2002/Satnews/ — A leading space industry executive, a former NASA administrator and astronaut, and a world- renowned astrophysicist all have been selected to join the board of directors of the Space Foundation.  Serving three-year terms effective January 2003 are

 The board also elected the Honorable Jaime Oaxaca, chairman, The Oaxaca Group, to the lifetime position of director emeritus. A long- time industry executive with Northrop and twice Senate-confirmed presidential appointee to the U.S. General Advisory Committee on Arms Control, Oaxaca had served on the Space Foundation board since 1996 and was chairman from 1999-2002.

 The board also re-elected the following members to three-year terms:

 Continuing on the Space Foundation board of directors are the following:

 The Space Foundation is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Colorado Springs and serving the space community and educators both across the U.S. and internationally. Its mission is "to vigorously advance and support civil, commercial and national security space endeavors and educational excellence." 

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