Chirag Patel. Photo: LinkedIn

Globalstar has hired IoT industry veteran Chirag Patel as director of Product Management to lead the company’s vision for industrial IoT. He will be responsible for product vision, strategy, roadmap and go to market plans for Industrial IoT products, services, and software as a service solutions. 

Patel joins Globalstar from Carrier, where he led the launch of Lynx Fleet IoT solution for temperature-controlled trucks. He also previously led and launched the digitization of Verizon’s mobile device management platform ThingSpace and worked for the startup Enfora. There, he launched several cellular modems, mobile tracking, asset tracking products, and a SaaS platform for the transportation industry.  

In his new role, Patel will report to Dave Haight, vice president of IoT, who joined Globalstar from AT&T earlier this year. 

“Chirag is an exceptional addition to our team. With his extensive background and knowledge in IoT hardware and software products and services, his experience will be invaluable in helping to guide Globalstar’s growing IoT business,” Haight said. 

Globalstar has been investing in its satellite IoT business with Haight and Patel as hires. Earlier this year, the company purchased 17 new satellites from MDA in order to replenish and extend the life of its existing SPOT Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. Globalstar said the $327 million will serve the needs of an unnamed “potential customer.”