ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications, has named Don Claussen as its new CEO, effective January 2, 2023. Claussen will lead the company in expanding its global leadership and technology vision against a backdrop of rapid satcom industry transformation. Based in the U.S., Claussen brings with him over 15 years of industry experience, and has transformed solutions development and delivery for global satcom companies. “A respected innovator and leader in the satcom industry, Don’s impressive experience and track record will help to accelerate ST Engineering iDirect’s growth during this pivotal period of change in the industry,” said Low Ka Hoe, President of the Satellite Communications business group at ST Engineering. “Don has led major growth initiatives for satcom leaders, driving significant gains in customer impact. We welcome Don as he joins a strong leadership team in place at ST Engineering iDirect and will play a key role in creating new growth opportunities for ST Engineering’s satcom business unit.”

At the Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) held in Bucharest, Romania in September 2022, Doreen Bogdan-Martin was elected as the first woman to be the Secretary-General of the ITU (to view the full conference report on the PP-22: http://www.satellitemarkets.com/events/highlights-itu-plenipotentiary-conference-2022).  The ITU is one of the oldest multilateral international organizations founded in 1865 and based in Geneva, Switzerland.   

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP (WBK) is pleased to announce Davina Sashkin has joined the firm as a Partner. Davina joins the firm with extensive experience in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory compliance, strategic policy advocacy, and FCC-regulated transactions, and is widely recognized as an industry leader in broadcast media law.

Doug Abts, formerly a senior executive at Viasat, has been hired byAstranis as its new Chief Commercial Officer.

Astroscale Israel, a subsidiary of Astroscale U.S., an entity within Astroscale Holdings Inc., the market leader in securing long-term orbital sustainability, is pleased to announce new executive leadership changes.

We’re excited to announce that industry expert Yacoub Al Husseini is now joining Zero Density as the new Regional Sales Manager for Middle East and Africa.

At the IBC 2022 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Satellite Markets and Research Editor-in-Chief Virgil Labrador spoke with Cristi Damian, VP-Business Development, Comtech Satellite Network Technologies on the new products they are highlighting at the show.

Satellite Markets and Research Editor-in-Chief Virgil Labrador spoke with Jean-Michel Rouylou, Head of Enterprise Market and Broadband-ST Engineering iDirect, an over 20-year veteran in the global energy markets.  We discuss the role satellite technology plays in key energy markets like oil and gas, among others.   

Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) today opened nominations for the 22nd Induction to the Space & Satellite Hall of Fame. The new Inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Celebration on March 14, 2023. Nominations are due by January 9, 2023.

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP (WBK) is pleased to announce K. Dane Snowden has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor in the Washington, DC, office. Dane’s wide recognition as a respected leader both at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and among industry hail from more than two decades of experience across the communications and technology sector.