[8/22/07 – Satellite Today] Mary Cotton has been named CEO of iDirect Inc., effective Sept. 19, replacing John Kealey, iDirect parent company Vision Technologies Systems Inc. announced Aug. 22.

Cotton has more than 18 years of experience with technology companies and currently serves as senior vice president with SAP. She previously served as CEO of management software firm Frictionless Commerce and COO and CFO at Aspen Technology Inc., a provider of software and services that help companies improve manufacturing processes. Kealey took the reins at iDirect in late 2001 and is credited with leading the company’s high-profile turnaround and positioning iDirect in a market leadership role. He was named Via Satellite’s 2004 Satellite Executive of the Year.