Saleh Al Abdooli. Photo: Thuraya

[Via Satellite 03-24-2016] Thuraya has elected Saleh Al Abdooli, CEO of Etisalat UAE, to become chairman of the company’s board of directors. Al Abdooli has served as CEO of Etisalat UAE since 2012, and is also the deputy chairman of the board of directors, chairman of the executive committee for Etisalat Misr, and a board member for Etisalat Services Holding Company. Furthermore, he recently became Etisalat’s representative on the Mobily board of directors.

Al Abdooli designed and launched the first 3G network in the Middle East and Africa, in December 2003. He has been associated with the Etisalat Group since 1992, where he has played an important role in creating technological integration strategies as well as corporate and global expansion investments. Previously, Al Abdooli served as chairman of the Etisalat Group’s technical committee, which oversees its international expansion, as well as chairman of the committee responsible for preparing Etisalat’s proposal to establish the second GSM network in Saudi Arabia.

“Thuraya has gone through a remarkable transformation over the last few years, and I look forward to being involved as it leads into a bright future,” said Al Abdooli.