Rigolle leaves SES to take over the reigns at O3b

Mark Rigolle has stepped down as chief financial officer of SES to take over as CEO at satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Rigolle will replace Greg Clarke, who is stepping down for personal reasons. Rigolle, who has been CFO of SES since…

Mark Rigolle has stepped down as chief financial officer of SES to take over as CEO at satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Rigolle will replace Greg Clarke, who is stepping down for personal reasons.

Rigolle, who has been CFO of SES since August 2004, will take up his new position with immediate effect. Prior to joining SES, Rigolle held a number of executive positions at Belgian telecoms incumbent Belgacom, where he was instrumental in the company’s IPO on the Euronext in early 2004.

Commenting on the departure, Romain Bausch, president and CEO of SES, said: “Mark Rigolle has played an important role in SES’ development over the last five years. Although we are sorry he is leaving us, we are delighted that he has chosen to continue his career development at O3b, a company in which SES holds a strategic interest. This move underscores the importance SES attaches to the success of O3b, and Mark will undoubtedly create shareholder value there as he has done at SES. We wish him well.”

UK telecoms industry veteran Clarke had only been appointed chief executive of O3B in November of last year replacing the company’s founder Greg Wyler. O3b said that the reason behind his departure is due to a serious knee injury that would have prevented him from undertaking the amount of travelling required at this stage of O3b’s development. However, Clarke, who had previously been the CEO at UK telco Cable & Wireless and ran its global cellular business, is to remain on the company’s board of directors.

O3b’s chairman John Dick said: “I am delighted that Mark is joining the company. His appointment highlights our strong ties with SES as we look to accelerate our operations in 2010. At the same time, I would like to thank Greg Clarke for his work on behalf of the company during his time as CEO.”

Browne returns to satellite sector

SES has moved quickly to replace Rigolle, bringing in industry veteran Andrew Browne. He will take up his position at SES at the beginning of April.

Browne was formerly the chief financial officer of Intelsat from 1995 to 1998. During his time there he was instrumental in building up the foundation for a new company which later became New Skies Satellites. He then served as CFO of that company from 1998 to 2008, including during the incorporation into the SES group when it was purchased in 2006 from private equity owners.

Since then, Browne has served in advisory as well as non-executive directorship roles in a variety of companies.

Romain Bausch said: “Andrew’s extensive industry experience, and existing knowledge of our company, makes him a valuable addition to SES’ leadership team. I look forward to working with him and with our entire finance team to further grow our business.”

Wolff becomes ICO CEO on permanent basis

ICO Global Communications has appointed Benjamin G. Wolff as CEO. Wolff has acted as interim CEO since the departure of Michael Corkery in December.

The company has also appointed Timothy Leybold as chief financial officer and senior vice president on an interim basis.

Leybold has 30 years of experience and has served as CFO for public and private companies, including Coast Crane Company, Port Townsend Paper Corporation, The Port Blakely Company, and RLC Industries.

Wolff previously served as a director at ICO from September 2005 to December 2008, following which he became chairman of ICO’s subsidiary DBSD North America.

Epstein now President and CEO of TerreStar

Jeffrey Epstein has added the position of CEO to his existing duties as President of TerreStar Corporation. He has served as President since April 2008.

The company has also promoted Vincent Loiacono to chief financial officer. Loiacano has been TerreStar’s chief accounting officer since November 2008.

“Working with Vince over the last year has demonstrated that he has the expertise and commitment necessary for TerreStar’s Chief Financial Officer,” said Epstein. “Vince will help us execute against a sound corporate financial plan, creating long-term shareholder value as we become operational and begin generating revenues.”

Rousseau new AEPOC president

Philippe-Olivier Rousseau has been elected as the new President of the European Anti-Piracy Association (AEPOC).

Rousseau, who is managing director and senior banker at BNP Paribas, will replace the former General Director of Eutelsat, Jean Grenier, who is stepping down after 13 years in the office.

AEPOC stated that it ‘appointed Philippe-Olivier Rousseau relying on his neutrality and long-standing, proven track record in the media and telecommunications sectors within manifold assignments and directorships over the past 30 years.’

Rousseau has previously held positions at the Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel (CSA), Eutelsat, Intelsat and Music Choice Europe.

In his role as President, Rousseau will lead ‘the co-ordination of effective political and legal industry initiatives against piracy, the exchange of technical information, expertise and best practice as well as tightening AEPOC’s relationships with EU policy associations and global anti-piracy partners.’

Small new CEO at Aircell

The in-flight broadband provider Aircell has appointed Michael Small as President and CEO. He replaces Ron Le May, who will return to his position as Chairman of the Board.

Small previously served as CEO and Director of Centennial Communications, Executive Vice President and CFO of 360 Degrees Communications Company and President of the Lynch Company.

NRTC chief steps down

Bob Phillips has announced his retirement as head of the US National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative after 23 years of leadership. He will leave the post at the end of May.

During Phillips’ reign over the NRTC, which represents the technology interests of more than 1500 rural utilities affiliates across the USA, the organisation aided DirecTV in the launch of its first satellite and promoted the development of consumer satellite broadband.

The NRTC Board of Directors has appointed Senior Vice President of Operations jack Harvey as interim CEO while it searches for Phillips’ replacement.