People

McLean, Va. March 15, 2022–-Intelsat CEO, Steve Spengler, was announced today as the latest inductee in the Space & Satellite Professionals International’s (SSPI) Space & Satellite Hall of Fame. With this induction, Spengler joins the ranks of pioneers and visionaries in communications, aerospace, scientific research, and the development and delivery of space and satellite applications.

McLean, Va., March 7, 2022​–, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, has tapped David Wajsgras, as its next chief executive officer (CEO). Effective April 4, Wajsgras succeeds Stephen Spengler, who announced his planned retirement in Oct. 2021.  

Rocklin, CA, March 3, 2022--Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC), a company advancing the development and operation of the first commercially viable, space-based business park with gravity, has appointed two highly-accomplished executives, William Tauskey and Drew Wahl to its board of directors.

New York, NY, March 2, 2022–The World Teleport Association (WTA) today named Jim A. R. Veeder, CEO and President of U.S. Electrodynamics, Inc. (USEI), as the 2022 Teleport Executive of the Year. Mr. Veeder will accept the award at the 2022 Teleport Awards Luncheon on March 22 during the SATELLITE 2022 Conference in Washington, DC. The Teleport Executive of the Year Award is presented to an individual for demonstrated entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation in the development or operation of a teleport-based business.

Vista, California, March 4, 2022--Amkom Design Group Inc. based in Vista, California is a manufacturer of world-class amplifiers of varying frequencies in a full portfolio of Commerical Off The Shelf (COTS) products and provider of  custom design services for the VSAT and satcom markets. Satellite Markets and Research caught up with is Founder and CEO, Ernest Kasparov who expounded on his company's unique approach to manufacturing Block Upconverters (BUCs) and amplifiers. 

New York City, NY, February 17, 2022--On March 15, SSPI will induct six new members into the prestigious Space & Satellite Hall of Fame. The 2022 honorees are Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida; Dr. Christopher R. BoshuizenDr. William S. Marshall and Robbie Schingler, co-founders of Planet; Steve Spengler, President and CEO of Intelsat; and Prof. Robert Twiggs, Professor Emeritus at Morehead State University.

Denver, Colo., February 11, 2022--BridgeComm, Inc., an optical wireless communications (OWC) solutions and services provider, today announced that Rich Tortorelli will join the company as a chief systems engineer. Having developed, managed and executed 160 plus satellites with space-based constellations, Tortorelli brings thirty years of invaluable experience to BridgeComm to enhance its OWS space produce development efforts.

New York City, NY, February 8, 2022 – Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS) has named Emory Strilkauskas as Head of Business Development for the Americas, responsible for expanding the company’s professional broadcast and media portfolio across the United States, Canada and Latin America.

New York City, NY, February 8, 2022– The World Teleport Association (WTA) today announced the appointment of Eutelsat’s Head of Third Party Teleports Jesus Mendez Sampedro to its Board of Directors. In March, he will stand for election by the membership to a three-year term.

Montréal, Canada, February 4, 2022–XipLink, the technology leader in Wireless Link Optimization  announced the appointment of Jaco Botha, based in South Africa and Ashburn, Virginia, as Senior Vice President of Product.  Botha will have responsibility for all Product Management, Product Marketing and Alliance Partnership functions for the company moving forward. In addition, he will be a key contributor to the senior management committee that sets strategic direction for XipLink and its employees.