Patrick DeWitt, CEO of Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been selected Via Satellite magazine’s 2006 Satellite Executive of the Year, Via Satellite and SS/L announced Feb. 5.

Under DeWitt’s leadership, SS/L won seven satellite manufacturing contracts in 2006, including awards from Sirius Satellite Radio, TerreStar Networks Inc. and AsiaSat.

DeWitt will be presented the award Feb. 20 during the SATELLITE 2007 Conference and Exhibition at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.