Connect with us

Technology

Iridium Announces Executive Retirements; Names Vincent O’Neill as New Chief Financial Officer and Timothy Last as new Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, each effective January 1, 2025

Published

2 years ago

on

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) today announced that Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, 66, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Administrative Officer and Bryan J. Hartin, 60, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, plan to retire at year-end. Mr. Fitzpatrick will continue to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors after his retirement as CFO.  The Company named Vincent O’Neill as its new Chief Financial Officer and Timothy Last as the new Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, each to be effective January 1, 2025.

Vincent O’Neill currently serves as Senior Vice President, Finance with responsibility for treasury, strategic and operational financial planning and execution.  He joined Iridium in 2014 as its Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to joining Iridium, O’Neill was CFO of Mobilitie, a wireless infrastructure company, and previously spent 10 years at Nextel Sprint in a variety of senior finance roles. Prior to Nextel Sprint, he worked for Celnet, a Mobile Wireless Operator in the UK (now Telefonica).  O’Neill is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds an Accounting and Finance Diploma from Technological University Shannon, Ireland.

Tim Last currently serves as Senior Vice President, Sales, Product Management and Customer Care with responsibility for the Company’s product portfolio, global customer integration and support for commercial sales in the Americas region.  He previously served as Vice President and General Manager, Americas.  Last joined Iridium in 2012 and has held roles of increasing responsibility within the sales and marketing organization.  Prior to working at Iridium, Last held business development roles at ORBCOMM, Inc. and BT Group.  Last holds an MSc in Telecommunications Business from University College London, England.

Commenting on these changes, Iridium CEO Matt Desch shared, “I’m expecting a seamless leadership transition with the appointment of Vince and Tim to the executive team.  It is a credit to both Tom Fitzpatrick and Bryan Hartin that they have developed leaders on their teams with the experience and vision to successfully succeed them.  Both Vince and Tim have extensive experience working with Iridium’s partners, employees and investors and will continue the success of their predecessors.”  

Speaking specifically to the retirements, Desch continued, “Tom has led Iridium through obtaining export credit financing of the largest-ever satellite constellation refresh, multiple capital market offerings and a strong credit facility with attractive terms, while leading the financial transformation of a company which, by the time of his retirement, is expected to have returned approximately $1.0 billion to shareholders over the previous three years. We are also very fortunate that he will continue to provide strategic leadership and his experience as a continued member of our Board.”  As to Hartin, Desch commented, “Iridium is defined by its products and its partners.  Bryan has successfully overseen the expansion of our commercial business as service revenues grew by 126% since he joined and subscribers almost quadrupled while he led our partner ecosystem growth to over 500 companies.”

During his 14 years as the Company’s CFO and 11 years as a member of its Board of Directors,  Fitzpatrick led the Company’s finance and administrative functions through the development and launch of the Iridium NEXT campaign and its subsequent financial transformation, leading share buybacks and the initiation of a quarterly dividend.  “Iridium has been the highlight of my 45-year career. It has been a privilege to play a part in the success of this unique, essential organization.  I thank Matt and the Iridium Board for their consistent support during my time at the company,” said Fitzpatrick. “I am delighted to remain involved in Iridium’s strategic direction through my service on the Board.  I look forward to continuing to work on our important mission in this role.”

Over his 12 years leading Sales and Marketing, Hartin led the growth that has driven subscribers to over 2.3 million users on the Iridium® network. In addition, he worked tirelessly to lead important safety certifications for Iridium, including for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), that allow mariners and explorers around the world to remain connected anywhere.  “It’s been an honor to be a member of the Iridium family for the past 12 years.  I am very proud of the team we built that has driven Iridium’s consistent track record of growth and success.  I particularly want to thank Matt for all the guidance and support he’s provided me throughout my Iridium career, as well as Iridium’s Board of Directors.  I have cherished my Iridium experience, especially the relationships I’ve developed both internally and externally around the world.”

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles, Inc. and announced the Iridium Satellite Time and Location service. Iridium Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.

Press Contact: 

Investor Contact:

Jordan Hassin

Kenneth Levy

Iridium Communications Inc.     

Iridium Communications Inc.

Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com

Ken.Levy@Iridium.com

+1 (703) 287-7421

+1 (703) 287-7570

X: @Iridiumcomm

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iridium-announces-executive-retirements-names-vincent-oneill-as-new-chief-financial-officer-and-timothy-last-as-new-executive-vice-president-sales-and-marketing-each-effective-january-1-2025-302226864.html

SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Technology

America’s Largest Political Group Is Getting Its Own Election Night

Published

23 minutes ago

on

October 26, 2026

By

A record 45% of Americans identify with neither party. On November 3, they get the first nationally televised Election Night built around the independent voter bloc, presented by United Independents, the organization behind the Independent National Convention, in partnership with DeFiance Media.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Can the country’s largest bloc of voters turn identity into representation? Independents now make up 45% of U.S. adults, a record high in Gallup’s 2025 data, yet partisan coverage continues to dominate mainstream mediums. On November 3, one broadcast will cover the election from the Independent point of view.

Broadcast live from the National Press Club’s television studio in Washington, D.C. Election Night 2026: Independent Edition is an eight-hour program hosted by Christopher Life, founder and CEO of United Independents, and Macy Gunnell, NewsForce’s White House correspondent. DeFiance Media will be producing and streaming the broadcast.

Built on live election data from The Associated Press (AP), the program will call the national races as the returns come in. Then it goes where other broadcasts don’t: race-by-race coverage of independent candidates in consequential congressional contests, and guest conversations with the strategists and organizers behind them.

Built for the Voters Both Parties Are Chasing

Two generations of Americans have come of age as independent voters, and in 74 years of nationally televised Election Night broadcasts, not one has been built around them. This one is: national results and the balance of power, dedicated coverage of the independent candidates who could tip the next Congress, and a live chat with selected viewer questions put to the hosts and guests on air.

Open to Every Newsroom

Television pool feed. U.S. television outlets, including local stations, can carry the program live, in full or in part, separate from DeFiance Media’s full-program streaming.Social streaming. The broadcast streams through participating social media partners. Channels that want to carry it can sign up at Election2026.live.Live clips and excerpts. Newsrooms, commentators, and creators can pull portions of the program for reporting and social distribution while the broadcast is underway.

Request access through the Media & Distribution Access Form at Election2026.live.

Free and Accessible Nationwide

Going live Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, from 6 PM- 2 AM ET. Updates, guest announcements, and viewing instructions: Election2026.live.

Media Contact

Shaun Saunders
shaun@graffiticreativegroup.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-largest-political-group-is-getting-its-own-election-night-302919753.html

SOURCE DeFiance Media

Continue Reading

Technology

Pianist Michael Weinstein Wins Best Social Media Music Collaborations at the 2026 Vega Awards

Published

23 minutes ago

on

October 26, 2026

By

With more than a million followers across social media, Weinstein’s piano collaborations bring together vocalists from around the world to create unique musical performances and reach new audiences.

SOUTH SALEM, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Pianist, entrepreneur and social media creator Michael Weinstein has been recognized at the 2026 Vega Digital Awards in the Social Media Collaboration category for his music collaboration series, Piano Sessions: Bringing Voices Together Through Music.

“I love collaborating with talented singers including building friendships that have become just as meaningful as the music itself.”

Weinstein has built a social media audience of more than a million followers across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms by sharing piano performances and collaborations with singers from around the world. His videos feature vocalists performing alongside his piano accompaniment, creating intimate musical performances that showcase each artist’s individual talent and style.

While Weinstein has spent much of his professional career building businesses and marketing consumer brands, music has always remained one of his greatest passions.

“Music has always been a huge part of my life and one of the things I enjoy most is collaborating with other musicians,” said Weinstein. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many incredibly talented singers and I love being able to play alongside them and create something special together. It’s also rewarding to introduce these artists to new audiences while building relationships and friendships that have become just as meaningful as the music itself.”

An accomplished pianist and keyboardist, Weinstein has collaborated with an impressive range of vocalists, including artists who have performed and recorded with Maroon 5, Sting, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Usher, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. He has also collaborated with standout performers from American Idol, America’s Got Talent and The Voice.

Weinstein is also planning a live concert in New York City in 2027, bringing together several of the talented vocalists featured on his social media channels for a special collaborative performance. Additional details will be announced in the coming months.

Outside of music, Weinstein is the Founder and CEO of JAM Direct, a marketing and advertising agency, and former Chief Marketing Officer of Allstar Products Group, where he was responsible for marketing some of the most successful products in “As Seen On TV” history, including the Snuggie, ShamWow and Shake Weight.

Watch Michael Weinstein’s performances here:

https://linktr.ee/mweinsteinmusic

About the Vega Digital Awards

The Vega Digital Awards is an international competition recognizing excellence in social media, digital marketing and brand strategy. Judged by the International Awards Associate (IAA), the competition honors work that demonstrates innovation, effectiveness and measurable impact across the global marketing landscape.

Media Contact

Michael Weinstein, JAM Direct, 1 9146610053, mw@jamdirect.com, https://michaelweinstein.me/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/pianist-michael-weinstein-wins-best-social-media-music-collaborations-at-the-2026-vega-awards-302919551.html

SOURCE JAM Direct

Continue Reading

Technology

Landis+Gyr Secures Major Contract with Leading US Utility

Published

1 hour ago

on

October 26, 2026

By

CHAM, Switzerland and ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Landis+Gyr Group AG (SIX: LAND), a global energy technology leader driving intelligent innovation across the grid, today announced that it has secured a major contract with a leading US investor-owned electric utility. The agreement covers more than 3 million advanced metering endpoints.

Under the agreement, Landis+Gyr will provide Revelo meters and associated network and head-end system technologies, complemented by advanced security solutions, premium support, and software maintenance and services. The deployment is expected to advance the utility’s grid modernization objectives by enhancing security, grid visibility and operational performance.

“This important win reflects the strong momentum of our Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio and the trust customers place in Landis+Gyr to support large-scale grid modernization programs. By combining advanced metering, integrated technology, security and support capabilities, we look forward to helping this utility enhance grid visibility, reliability and operational performance,” said Peter Mainz, Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a global energy technology leader, delivering intelligent solutions that connect devices, data, and decisions across the grid. Trusted by more than 2,000 utilities worldwide, we transform traditional devices into intelligent, networked sensors, giving utilities real-time grid visibility and system control. With these combined insights, electric, gas, and water companies can anticipate demand, optimize operations, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, resilient, accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/landisgyr-secures-major-contract-with-leading-us-utility-302919687.html

Continue Reading

Trending