Astrium Services Hires Dudok as New CEO

Evert Dudok will serve as Astrium Services CEO effective immediately, as former CEO Eric Béranger switches to CEO of Astrium Satellites in an effort to increase cooperation and collaboration between the two divisions.

The two Astrium divisions are working together along with the European Space Agency (ESA) and their partners on the future European Data Relay System (EDRS). According to Astrium, the swap aims to increase the company’s competitiveness in the satellite and space service markets by enhancing its technical and commercial capability.

ESOA Elects Cato Halsaa as New Chairman

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting CEO Cato Halsaa has been elected chairman of the Board of the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA) effective immediately, replacing former Astrium Services CEO and now Astrium Satellites CEO Eric Béranger.

Along with Halsaa’s election at the ESOA quarterly board meeting Oct. 19, Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen was confirmed as vice-chairman and Intelsat CEO David McGlade was elected as second vice-chairman. The ESOA is currently the only CEO-driven satellite organization to represent the world’s largest operators with all regional European players together and aims to increase awareness on matters directly impacting the business interests of satellite operators, such as key spectrum issues and space and broadband policy.

Eutelsat Appoints Two New Board Members

Eutelsat has appointed two new independent board members and increase its total number to 10.

The new board members are Holmarcom group director and CEO Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun from Morocco and Gruppo Fabbri Vignola CEO Elisabetta Oliveri from Italy.

Gilat Appoints Michael Bartlow as New General Manager

Gilat Satellite Networks has appointed Michael Barthlow as General Manager for its North American business.

Barthlow has previous experience in tactical and land mobile radio communications as Harris RF Communications Department of Defence and Federal Agencies Vice President of Sales, working with major US defense agencies as executive business development and strategic capture positions at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems and as a US Marine Corps communications officer.