[Satellite TODAY 12-08-11] Iridium Communications has expanded its board of directors from ten members to eleven members and has appointed Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Eric Olson as the additional director, the MSS operator announced Dec. 7.

   Olson previously served as commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and was responsible for the readiness of joint special operations missions worldwide. He also led operational units within every component of the Naval Special Warfare community and served in senior positions within USSOCOM and the U.S. Navy staff.

   “[Olson’s] decades of distinguished leadership and management experience as a naval officer will be especially important as we grow our strategic relationship with the U.S. government. We look forward to his many contributions as a key member of our board and senior leadership team,” Iridium CEO Matt Desch said in a statement.