MTN hired Robert Wise for its newly created Chief Innovation Officer position and Susan Miller as its new executive vice president of strategy and corporate development.

   Wise previously served as engineering vice president at HP, where he led the company’s public cloud computing initiative. Wise was instrumental in opening HP’s Seattle cloud computing office and in the company’s adoption of OpenStack open-source cloud computing software. He also served as vice president of engineering for VoIP/Softswitch pioneer developer Vsys.

   “MTN is focused on specific areas of rampant industry innovation including cloud computing and mobile applications, for the world of satellite communications,” Wise said in a statement. “Communities served primarily by satellite links have not seen the same pace of innovation, and we are going to change that.”

   Miller, a former Head of Intelsat General and CEO of Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions, will bring her focus on implementing strategic business development initiatives and cost control projects to MTN. The company said she would play a vital role in completing strategic acquisitions. Miller also served with LightSquared, Lockheed Martin and Hughes Aircraft.

   MTN’s new appointments are the latest developments in the company’s management shift efforts during the past year-and-a-half. The company appointed Joe Wright as its executive board chairman in January 2011 and moved Errol Olivier to the roles of President and COO. Margaret Grayson was named MTN’s new CFO shortly after.

   In a previous interview with Satellite News, Olivier said he didn’t join MTN to change the focus of the company. “I came here to help grow the company in regards to efficiencies and expansion of its product line outside the traditional markets it has been in. But, it is not about changing focus. We will continue to focus on the government services business, as well as the cruise, yacht and commercial businesses.”

   Olivier added that the most recent executive shift was designed to quicken MTN’s response to the technology and service demands of its customers. “At MTN, we are moving far beyond what the industry expects and we recognize speaking of megabits will soon be old news,” said Olivier. “The new team will continue to deliver on the ‘customer intimacy’ roots that have propelled us to where we are today as it shapes the industry into the next generation of satellite network, delivery, service and price.”