[SatNews]  Working in the oil and gas markets is an entirely different realm than businesses based on terra firma.

RigNet, Inc. (Nasdaq:RNET), a provider of digital technology solutions to the oil and gas industry, today announced that Rajesh Salem has joined the Company in the new position of vice president, Strategy and Marketing. In this role, Salem will oversee the Company's existing strategy and marketing efforts and be responsible for new business development strategies and marketing plans that meet the evolving mission critical needs of the Company's energy customers.

Salem has had a long and successful career in strategy development and marketing at firms that include McKinsey, United Technologies, Panduit and Sears. Most recently, he served as head of Strategy & Marketing for  Sears Commercial, a business unit of Sears Holding Corporation. In addition, he earlier served as director, Global Strategic Marketing at Stratos Broadband (later known as Inmarsat Enterprise Energy), which RigNet acquired in January 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering / Transportation from West Virginia University and an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Rajesh join the RigNet executive team, developing new growth strategies and overseeing our marketing efforts," said Mark Slaughter, RigNet's CEO and President. "Having worked closely with him in other corporate settings, I am highly confident his intelligence, skills and work ethic will make lasting contributions at RigNet."