As satellite fleet operators become more vertically integrated capital demands increase. The necessity of vertical integration is to satisfy the demands of customers, including mobile network operators for fully managed services.
As leader of the firm’s Transportation and Space Group in Washington, D.C., Dara’s practice involves representation of satellite operators, aerospace manufacturers, launch services providers, communications companies, banks, private equity firms and hedge funds in debt and equity offerings, project, structured and vendor financings, mergers & acquisitions, financial restructurings and in negotiating commercial contracts. He also advises on regulatory, sanctions, anti-corruption, national security and export control matters.
PRIMARY FOCUS & EXPERIENCE
Mr. Panahy’s practice focuses on representing clients involved in the aerospace and communications industries. His experience includes representing satellite operators, aerospace manufacturers, launch services providers, communications companies, banks, private equity firms and hedge funds in numerous financings involving public offerings, high yield debt, investment grade bonds, project and vendor financings, mergers & acquisitions, financial restructuring and reorganizations and in negotiating project contracts. He also counsels clients on domestic and international regulatory and trade matters, including licensing of communications systems, economic sanctions, regulation of foreign direct investment, anti-bribery and corrupt practices, national security and export control laws and regulations and risk management.
Gregory Ewert shapes and executes Intelsat’s global business development strategy across the company’s network, mobility, media and government business units. He is also responsible for the structuring of Intelsat’s strategic roadmap and forging partnerships that will advance the company’s technology and service platforms, particularly for emerging applications such as land mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Mr. Ewert has decades of experience in the broadband and mobility sectors, with an expertise in IoT and land-mobility applications. Prior to joining Intelsat in 2019, he served as President, Connected Car & Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for Globalstar after beginning with the company as its Vice President of Business Development. At Globalstar, he led cross-functional teams responsible for the building of the company’s Connected Car and ITS business as well as the development of long-term strategies and partnerships that would drive the growth of the business.
Prior to joining Globalstar, Mr. Ewert spent four years at Inmarsat, where he served as the President of Inmarsat’s Connected Car, ITS and Enterprise business units. In that position, he led the development and execution of the IoT and M2M business plans, product roadmaps, infrastructure investments, channel distribution strategy and partnerships.
His experience also includes nine years at Iridium Communications, where he served in a similar role focused on the development of high-bandwidth mobile services for the maritime and aero sectors and the establishment of Iridium’s M2M business unit and associated product development and distribution channels. He also held senior leadership positions at Comsat International, Bell Canada Enterprise and Sprint.
Mr. Ewert earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.
 Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world’s first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat’s Globalized Network combines the world’s largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com.
Based in California, Sergy leads the development of the global cloud segment within SES Networks. He is focused on securing partnerships with leading cloud providers and developing new business to provide cloud-enabled connectivity, services and solutions.
Upon joining SES in 2002, Sergy led the SES corporate and business development activities across the Americas, collaborating with teams across the organization to drive organic and inorganic growth opportunities, including programs in the Andean region, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada and Mexico.
Prior to joining SES, Sergy held senior leadership roles such as Co-founder and Director of Business Development for Astrolink International, a global Ka HTS venture funded by Liberty Media, Lockheed Martin, Telespazio and TRW (now Northrop Grumman) and Senior Manager of Business Development for DIRECTV International, a Hughes Electronics company.
Sergy holds a Master’s of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and attended the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Joe joined Speedcast in February 2020 and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in January 2021. He has more than 25 years of experience in leadership and international business. Prior to joining Speedcast, Joe served as the Founder and CEO of ITC Global, providing end-to-end satellite communications to energy, mining and maritime companies operating in remote and harsh environments; prior to the business being sold to Panasonic’s mobility communications division.
Joe has previously built several successful international telecommunications companies and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University.
John Stack, Managing Director, Head of Aerospace & Defense Investment Banking, has 25 years’ global strategy, business development and M&A experience focusing on publicly-held and private companies.
Mr. Stack previously was VP, Strategy & Business Development and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Cessna Aircraft Company, where he led the Columbia Aircraft acquisition. Prior to that, he was Director, Strategy Development & International at Textron, where he helped reshape the company’s business portfolio and worked with company presidents on strategic plans, operational challenges and growth. During his career, he has led project, M&A and joint venture teams in more than 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and he lived in Switzerland for more than four years.
Mr. Stack holds a degree in Business Administration from Bryant University and an MBA from Fordham University. He is a commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He also is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and proficient in French.
Richard (Ric) A. VanderMeulen is the Vice President of Space & Satellite Broadband, Viasat Inc., a global broadband service and technology company. Viasat is the world’s largest operator of GEO Satellite Communication Capacity.
Since 2010, Mr. VanderMeulen is a strategy and thought leader in Viasat’s efforts to serve government and commercial markets with best available broadband networks extending reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. He is engaged in the company’s innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites, secure ground infrastructure, and terminal technologies to provide broadband to fixed and mobile customers. He applies Viasat’s High Throughput/Capacity Satellite technologies to US Government and International markets for Ground Segment, Customer Premise Equipment, and highly assured Satcom-as-a-Service solutions.
He is an avid proponent of the Space and Satellite Communication industry, has published numerous papers on Space resilience and deterrence, and served on Boards of several industry organizations including Space & Satellite Professionals International, Satellite Industry Association, and Mobile Satellite Users Association.
Mr. VanderMeulen joined Viasat in 2001, as Vice President General Manager for Viasat’s Government Satcom business responsible for all Viasat’s government Satcom programs through 2009. Bringing both engineering and business expertise during his more than 35 years in the Satellite Communications industry, Mr. VanderMeulen has held senior general manager and program manager positions at Viasat, The Boeing Company responsible for Boeing’s Space and Communication Group new ventures, and Rockwell Collins responsible for design completion and production of multiple Satcom Systems including Milstar, SMART-T, SCAMP, and others.
Ric was born in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the University of Virginia and graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.