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Hall of Fame

Looking Back to Look Forward

The Space & Satellite Hall of Fame is filled with recognized pioneers in communications, aerospace, scientific research, or the development and delivery of space and satellite applications for business, institutions and government. Hall of Fame members serve as an inspiration to all of us in the industry. In this issue, we asked Hall of Fame members, SSPI Mentors and members of the 20 Under 35 cohorts to share stories of Hall of Famers that entertained, inspired and changed them for the better.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Sir Arthur C. Clarke
Inducted in 1987

"I was in Sri Lanka in early 1995 working for a UN NGO, when I had an opportunity to visit Sir Arthur C. Clarke. I often wish I could go back to that day in Colombo and just enjoy it all over again. Sir Arthur was one of those people in life who light up a room with their vitality. He was funny, truly funny, with an awesome west country burr in his laugh and twinkle in his eye. We talked space, writing, scuba diving and school. Yes, school. His parting words were for me to go to ISU. I listened, and he changed my life, much like his writing." – Chris Stott, CEO of ManSat and 2015 Mentor of the Year

Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Chris Stott
Ed Horowitz
Ed Horowitz
Former CEO, SES Americom
Inducted in 2011

"Ed Horwitz is a man with too many career accomplishments to give proper credit in a few paragraphs, but I hope to highlight a few of his best qualities though a story about goal setting. Each year during Ed's tenure at SES Americom we had an intense goal setting process during which Ed would always employ the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) principle. Ed would encourage all of his leadership team to choose stretch goals that would scare us (more than a little bit to be honest) and ultimately change the world a bit if we were successful. This BHAG process ultimately inspired delivery of some amazing industry firsts including:"

  • The first FSS satellite specifically designed for the aero broadband market
  • The first satellite IP video platform
  • The creation and focus on SES Government services including projects like the groundbreaking CHIRP hosted payload.
  • The first bulk satellite purchase of up to six satellites changing economics for our company and customers.
  • Co-Founding of US Space and Vivisat with Mark Piegza where Ed led the creation, planning and commercialization of MEV 1. MEV 1 docked last week to Intelsat 901, launching the first ever satellite life extension mission for the satellite industry!

"Ed, thanks for scaring me a bit with stretch goals, it has forever changed our industry for the better and here's to more firsts to come!" – Bryan McGuirk, SVP of Business Development, LTN Global

SES Americom Leadership Meeting in 2008
Mark Dankberg
Mark Dankberg
Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman, Viasat
Inducted in 2015

"It has been amazing to work with the Viasat team. We started with a paper design of a satellite, and before I knew it, I was able to experience, first-hand, the fast in-flight internet beamed down from that satellite. Mark and his team are relentless innovators—consistently challenging the status quo—to move the space and internet markets forward. Their ability to work closely with their suppliers brings the industry to new heights." – Jomya Lei, Lead Payload Systems Engineer, The Boeing Company and 2019 member of the 20 Under 35

James Monroe III
James Monroe III
Former Chairman and CEO, Globalstar
Inducted in 2017

"Jay Monroe entered the satellite industry after finding an attractive opportunity to buy assets that others had invested billions of dollars into at a significant discount and ultimately saved Globalstar during a restructuring. Jay was further interested in the potential cash flow that the Globalstar satellite network could provide and the longer term value of the its global spectrum position. Since investing in the satellite industry nearly 16 years ago, no one has invested more time or their own capital in getting their company on the right footing for executing longer term business objectives. Jay and the Globalstar team launched a second-generation constellation, completed a historic bank financing during the financial crisis and drove Globalstar through a successful FCC process to provide for terrestrial authority of its US S-band spectrum. Jay has also led the effort to globally harmonize this band with success in a growing number of countries outside of the US. Even before the launch of Globalstar’s second generation constellation Jay created the SPOT line of one-way tracking and life-saving products. SPOT has now initiated nearly 7,000 rescues and has developed the stand-alone two-way messenger device in SpotX. Globalstar has grown into one of the most innovative satellite companies in the industry and was the first to open up the world of mobile satellite services to retail customers – once only an industry dream, now a core component of MSS.

"Jay has proven himself in many industries to be an innovative entrepreneur including bringing a revived sense of innovation to the satellite industry. While Jay is a great business leader he is even a better person for whom I am both honored and lucky to work with every day and get to learn from." – David Kagan, CEO, Globalstar

Matt Desch
Matt Desch
CEO, Iridium Communications
Inducted in 2019

"When I first joined Iridium, I was told the CEO wanted to meet with me. We had 30 minutes scheduled, but our talk lasted almost an hour, and we barely talked about work. I believe this is one of the many ways Matt makes everyone at Iridium feel like they have an important role to play and helps them take pride in their work." – Julian Horvath, Principal Engineer, Satellite Operations & Ground Development, Iridium Communications and 2019 Promise Award recipient

Henry Goldberg
Henry Goldberg
Partner, Goldberg, Godles, Wiener & Wright
Inducted in 2019

"There are few in our industry that can be credited as much as Henry with impacting and shaping the legal, regulatory and commercial frameworks that have made the satellite industry the dynamic, competitive and innovative sector it is today. Henry is an extraordinary attorney with a strong sense of both business and legal requirements. On the commercial front, he has been a trusted advisor and creative problem solver, facilitating commercial arrangements between hundreds of companies that, collectively, have greatly supported the growth and productivity of the commercial satellite ecosystem. The combination of his core sentiments for integrity, and high ethical standards sets him apart as a pillar of competition and fair play in our industry. He has been a consistent, articulate and powerful advocate for open and competitive markets and for a regulatory environment that offers industry the scope it needs to adapt to fast evolving technologies and market forces." – Ed Horowitz, Former CEO of SES Americom and member of the Space & Satellite Hall of Fame