 |
Home » News & Events » Latest News | |
| News & Events | ||
Latest NewsMay 2007iDirect Appoints New Independent Director Alexandria, VA, 17 May 2007 — Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VTS) today announced the appointment of Mr Yoel Gat as an independent director to the Board of its subsidiary, iDirect Inc. Gat is a respected industry figure with more than 20 years of experience in the satellite communications industry. VTS also announced that Mr John Kealey, iDirect’s Chief Executive Officer of six years, has resigned and will leave the company on August 31, 2007 to pursue personal interests. VTS has started the process to find a new CEO who will lead iDirect into the next phase of growth. VTS has formed an Executive Committee (EXCO) which will work alongside John Kealey until the new CEO comes on board. The EXCO will be chaired by Gen (Ret) John Coburn, Chairman and CEO of VTS, with Gat and Mr Seah Moon Ming, Co-Chairman of the iDirect Board, as members. Gat joins the iDirect Board at an exciting time as iDirect prepares for further growth and expansion beyond its current market. Gat is a well known executive in the satellite communications industry. He was recognized for his part in providing the capability of Internet-over-satellite technology to the mass-market by Time’s Digital Dozen for 2001. He is currently the Chairman and CEO of Raysat Inc, a leading manufacturer and supplier for the mass market for cost-effective low profile satellite antennas that enable communication on the move. In 1987, Gat co-founded Gilat Satellite Networks. As the Chairman and CEO, he was instrumental in growing Gilat from a start-up company to a mature well recognized entity. At its peak, Gat was steering well over 2,000 employees towards achieving sales revenue of over US$500m a year. He took Gilat public in 1993 on NASDAQ and managed it as a public company until his departure. Gat led the acquisition of Spacenet by Gilat and was responsible for the transition and the integration of Spacenet and Gilat. In 2003, Gat left Gilat after 16 years, to join RaySat Inc. His solid business and financial background and management skills, evidenced in his remarkable track record in the high volume satellite communications market, will be a valuable asset to the iDirect Board. Having gone through the peaks and troughs of a high-tech, fast moving industry, his experience will help in setting directions for iDirect towards meeting customers’ increased expectations in a highly competitive market and achieving a higher level of financial performance and market penetration. John Kealey, who has been the CEO of iDirect for the past six years, developed a team of dedicated management and staff who grew the company from a start-up into an industry leader with a global network of more than 500 partners. Kealey has also built up a robust and sustainable system in iDirect supported by a very competent and strong management team that is ready to take on the challenges ahead.
On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank John for his invaluable contribution to iDirect. John’s strength is in growing start-ups and the Board has accepted his decision to pursue his own interests at a time when the company is ready for the next phase of growth. The Board of iDirect will leverage the transition as an opportunity to fuel continued and accelerated growth as the company faces new and increased challenges. VTS and iDirect are fully committed to this management transition and will continue to insure positive value to our stakeholders, particularly our valued customers, the satcom industry and our staff. iDirect Inc, a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., designs, develops, and markets satellite-based broadband access solutions targeted at the enterprise, government, carrier and educational sectors that have the need for fast, flexible, and geographically dispersed two-way internet/intranet access. The company has developed technology solutions that combine high performance, worldwide availability, and ease of installation, high reliability, and low cost to end customers. In addition, iDirect solutions offer unprecedented efficiencies, increased revenue opportunities and higher per customer gross margins to satellite network operators. iDirect was awarded the 2005 World Teleport Association Teleport Technology of the year, the Innovation & Technology of the Year by The ISCe Advisory Board, and named number one in the Deloitte & Touche Virginia Technology Fast 50 list of the fastest-growing U.S. technology companies. iDirect operates its corporate headquarters in Herndon, Virginia and has regional offices in Europe, Asia, and covering Latin America. Please visit www.idirect.net. Vision Technologies Systems Inc and its subsidiaries are preferred providers of engineering solutions, products, integrated systems, and services in the Americas across the core business areas of aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, VTS operates throughout North America and offers a broad range of proven innovative services to both the commercial and government sectors. VTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. Please visit www.vt-systems.com. Media contact:Magdalen Loh
|
Yoel’s appointment will strengthen the company’s already strong and stable financial and market standing. His experience and expertise in the industry is a welcome addition to iDirect. He is an industry leader with a strong track record and good business acumen – all of which will augment iDirect’s leadership position and enhance shareholder value as iDirect pursues new levels of growth.
General John COBURN (USA, Ret)
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Disclaimer.
