iDirect, a company of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems) has announced that its Chief Technology Officer, Dave Bettinger, has been elected to the board of directors of the Global VSAT Forum (GVF), a London-based non-profit international association of the VSAT industry. The forum, which promotes the commercial, economic, political and technological advantages of VSAT-based communications, represents more than 200 organizations in the satellite communications industry. Bettinger will join six other industry leaders on the board of directors. Together, they lead the direction of the GVF in its evaluation of industry issues, formulating strategic perspectives on how the industry can best address emerging business and technology opportunities. A 15-year veteran of satellite communications, Bettinger transformed the industry by pioneering the use of satellite to transport IP data and handle the demand for global and remote connectivity created by the Internet. As a member of the GVF board of directors, Bettinger will advance the role of satellite technology as a core component of global telecommunications, advocating its pivotal role in next-generation networks, mobile communications and numerous vertical applications.