[SatNews] Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) has just announced that current Intelsat President and Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Spengler has been promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Intelsat's new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Spengler.

Under the company’s succession plan, Intelsat Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David McGlade will transition to the position of Executive Chairman, effective April 1, 2015, at which time Mr. Spengler will become Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McGlade will have served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for 10 years.

Mr. Spengler has been with Intelsat in various executive positions since 2003, including serving as Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Strategy. Mr. Spengler has nearly 30 years’ experience in the satellite and telecommunications industry. During his tenure at the company, Mr. Spengler led the development of Intelsat’s global mobility network, in which Intelsat now has a leading share of maritime and aeronautical broadband services. He has also overseen the development of the company’s next generation satellite platform, Intelsat EpicNG®, of which the first satellite is expected to launch in late 2015.

In announcing these changes, Mr. McGlade stated, “Steve is a proven leader with outstanding customer and communications industry knowledge and the ability to execute a global plan. His vision has been instrumental in driving our next generation strategy, and in building new innovative services with the commercial satellite services we provide.”

“Intelsat’s role in providing global connectivity has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Mr. Spengler. “Our entire company is focused on delivering services that support the future growth of our customers. I am honored to lead our team during a period when our technology and services are poised to accelerate the spread of broadband connectivity globally.”

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