Telesat Announces Key Executive Leadership Changes
Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) announced key executive leadership changes. Michel Forest will become the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) following David Wendling's retirement at the end of February 2025. Forest, previously Telesat's Vice President of LEO System Engineering, will oversee satellite operations, engineering, and program management. He has led the Telesat Lightspeed constellation's architecture and performance.
Forest succeeds Wendling, who has been with Telesat for nearly 40 years, driving technical innovation and achieving industry firsts. Wendling has been instrumental in the design of Telesat Lightspeed.
Asit Tandon joins as Chief Network and Information Officer, bringing extensive experience from roles at Rogers Communications, Hutchison-3 Indonesia, Bharti Airtel, and Siemens. Tandon will manage the terrestrial elements of the Telesat Lightspeed network, including network operations and IT systems. Tandon's expertise is expected to support Telesat's growth and operational excellence in the global broadband connectivity market.
Telesat (NASDAQ e TSX: TSAT) ha annunciato cambiamenti chiave nella leadership esecutiva. Michel Forest diventerà il nuovo Chief Technology Officer (CTO) a seguito del pensionamento di David Wendling, previsto per la fine di febbraio 2025. Forest, già Vicepresidente dell'Ingegneria dei Sistemi LEO di Telesat, supervisionerà le operazioni satellitari, l'ingegneria e la gestione dei programmi. Ha guidato l'architettura e le prestazioni della costellazione Telesat Lightspeed.
Forest subentra a Wendling, che è stato con Telesat per quasi 40 anni, promuovendo l'innovazione tecnica e conseguendo primati nel settore. Wendling è stato determinante nella progettazione di Telesat Lightspeed.
Asit Tandon entra a far parte dell'azienda come Chief Network and Information Officer, portando una vasta esperienza da ruoli ricoperti in Rogers Communications, Hutchison-3 Indonesia, Bharti Airtel e Siemens. Tandon gestirà gli elementi terrestri della rete Telesat Lightspeed, comprese le operazioni di rete e i sistemi IT. Si prevede che l'expertise di Tandon sostenga la crescita di Telesat e l'eccellenza operativa nel mercato globale della connettività a banda larga.
Telesat (NASDAQ y TSX: TSAT) anunció cambios clave en el liderazgo ejecutivo. Michel Forest se convertirá en el nuevo Chief Technology Officer (CTO) tras la jubilación de David Wendling a finales de febrero de 2025. Forest, anteriormente Vicepresidente de Ingeniería de Sistemas LEO en Telesat, supervisará las operaciones de satélites, la ingeniería y la gestión de programas. Ha liderado la arquitectura y el rendimiento de la constelación Telesat Lightspeed.
Forest sucede a Wendling, quien ha estado en Telesat durante casi 40 años, impulsando la innovación técnica y logrando primicias en la industria. Wendling ha sido fundamental en el diseño de Telesat Lightspeed.
Asit Tandon se une como Chief Network and Information Officer, aportando una amplia experiencia de roles en Rogers Communications, Hutchison-3 Indonesia, Bharti Airtel y Siemens. Tandon gestionará los elementos terrestres de la red Telesat Lightspeed, incluidas las operaciones de red y los sistemas de TI. Se espera que la experiencia de Tandon apoye el crecimiento de Telesat y la excelencia operativa en el mercado global de conectividad de banda ancha.
텔레샛 (NASDAQ 및 TSX: TSAT)는 주요 경영진 변화에 대해 발표했습니다. 미셸 포레스트가 2025년 2월 말 데이비드 웬들링의 은퇴에 따라 새로운 최고 기술 책임자(CTO)가 됩니다. 포레스트는 이전에 텔레샛의 LEO 시스템 엔지니어링 부사장이었으며, 위성 운영, 엔지니어링 및 프로그램 관리 등을 감독하게 됩니다. 그는 텔레샛 라이트스피드 별자리의 설계 및 성능을 주도해왔습니다.
포레스트는 텔레샛에서 거의 40년 동안 근무하며 기술 혁신과 산업 최초의 성과를 이끌어온 웬들링을 잇습니다. 웬들링은 텔레샛 라이트스피드 설계에서 중요한 역할을 했습니다.
아시트 탄돈은 최고 네트워크 및 정보 책임자로 합류하며, 로저스 통신, 후치슨-3 인도네시아, 바르티 에어텔, 지멘스에서의 폭넓은 경험을 가지고 있습니다. 탄돈은 텔레샛 라이트스피드 네트워크의 지상 요소를 관리하며, 네트워크 운영 및 IT 시스템을 포함합니다. 탄돈의 전문 지식은 텔레샛의 성장과 글로벌 초고속 인터넷 시장에서의 운영 우수성을 지원할 것으로 기대됩니다.
Telesat (NASDAQ et TSX : TSAT) a annoncé des changements clés au sein de son équipe dirigeante. Michel Forest sera le nouveau directeur technique (CTO) après le départ à la retraite de David Wendling fin février 2025. Forest, anciennement vice-président de l'ingénierie des systèmes LEO chez Telesat, supervisera les opérations satellitaires, l'ingénierie et la gestion des programmes. Il a dirigé l'architecture et la performance de la constellation Telesat Lightspeed.
Forest succède à Wendling, qui a été chez Telesat pendant près de 40 ans, promouvant l'innovation technique et atteignant des premiers dans l'industrie. Wendling a joué un rôle clé dans la conception de Telesat Lightspeed.
Asit Tandon rejoint Telesat en tant que responsable des réseaux et des informations, apportant une vaste expérience acquise chez Rogers Communications, Hutchison-3 Indonésie, Bharti Airtel et Siemens. Tandon gérera les éléments terrestres du réseau Telesat Lightspeed, y compris les opérations réseau et les systèmes informatiques. L'expertise de Tandon est censée soutenir la croissance de Telesat et l'excellence opérationnelle sur le marché mondial de la connectivité à large bande.
Telesat (NASDAQ und TSX: TSAT) gab wichtige Änderungen in der Führungsetage bekannt. Michel Forest wird nach der Pensionierung von David Wendling Ende Februar 2025 neuer Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Forest, zuvor Vizepräsident für LEO-Systemtechnik bei Telesat, wird die Satellitenoperationen, die Technik und das Projektmanagement leiten. Er hat die Architektur und Leistung der Telesat Lightspeed-Konstellation geleitet.
Forest tritt die Nachfolge von Wendling an, der fast 40 Jahre bei Telesat war, technische Innovationen vorangetrieben und Meilensteine in der Branche erreicht hat. Wendling war maßgeblich am Design von Telesat Lightspeed beteiligt.
Asit Tandon tritt als Chief Network and Information Officer bei, und bringt umfassende Erfahrungen aus Rollen bei Rogers Communications, Hutchison-3 Indonesien, Bharti Airtel und Siemens mit. Tandon wird die terrestrischen Elemente des Telesat Lightspeed-Netzwerks verwalten, einschließlich Netzwerkoperationen und IT-Systeme. Es wird erwartet, dass Tandons Expertise das Wachstum von Telesat und die betriebliche Exzellenz im globalen Breitbandmarkt unterstützen wird.
- Michel Forest's promotion to CTO brings continuity and proven leadership to Telesat's technical operations.
- Asit Tandon's appointment as Chief Network and Information Officer adds significant telecom network expertise to Telesat's senior leadership team.
- David Wendling's retirement may result in a significant loss of experience and innovation for Telesat.
Michel Forest to succeed David Wendling as Chief Technology Officer
Asit Tandon joins as Chief Network and Information Officer
OTTAWA, Ontario, Jan. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, today announced that Michel Forest will be its new Chief Technology Officer following the retirement of David Wendling at the end of February 2025. In this role, Mr. Forest will report to Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO, and oversee Telesat’s satellite operations, satellite and systems engineering, launch activities and program management.
Serving most recently as Telesat’s Vice President of LEO System Engineering, Mr. Forest has been leading the end-to-end architecture and system performance of the advanced Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Prior to his decade-long career at Telesat, he held leadership positions in satellite systems and antenna engineering at MDA Space.
“Michel has a strong track record of leading the development of innovative solutions and delivering exceptional results to optimize the performance, reliability and cost of Telesat’s satellite assets,” stated Dan Goldberg. “I have great confidence in Michel’s leadership, expertise and vision in supporting our global customer base and executing on the Telesat Lightspeed program.”
“I am honored to succeed Dave as Telesat’s Chief Technology Officer and thank him for his years of leadership and mentorship throughout my career with the company,” said Michel Forest. “I am excited for the bright future ahead as we execute on the Telesat Lightspeed program and our vision to redefine space-based connectivity throughout the world.”
With regard to Wendling’s departure, Goldberg added, “In his nearly 40-year stellar career with Telesat, Dave has been the driving force of technical innovation at the company, resulting in several satellite industry firsts and the state-of-the-art design of Telesat Lightspeed. All of us at Telesat are deeply grateful for Dave’s outstanding contributions, dedication and leadership.”
“It has been my honor to work with the brightest minds in the satellite industry during my tenure at Telesat and help create a culture of engineering excellence that drives continual innovation,” said David Wendling. “It’s a pivotal time at Telesat and Michel is the right leader to take charge of the Telesat Lightspeed program to deliver revolutionary capabilities to our customers.”
Also announced today, Asit Tandon is joining Telesat in the role of Chief Network and Information Officer, reporting to Goldberg. In this role, Mr. Tandon will be responsible for the terrestrial elements of the Telesat Lightspeed network, including Network Operations systems, the Network Operations Center, facilities, program management and customer fulfillment, and network and corporate IT systems.
Mr. Tandon brings deep expertise from a distinguished career in planning, deploying and operating telecom networks. He was most recently the Vice President of Network Technology at Rogers Communications, where he was responsible for the technology development, design, engineering and operations of wireline access and core networks. Previously, Mr. Tandon held leadership roles in Network Operations at Hutchison-3 Indonesia, Bharti Airtel and Siemens Ltd. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Delhi college of Engineering.
“I’m excited to welcome Asit to our senior leadership team, where he will play a crucial role in building and integrating best-in-class technical operations systems and worldwide facilities that will be essential elements of the Telesat Lightspeed network,” stated Goldberg. “Asit’s deep expertise and global experience will be invaluable as we execute on our ambitious growth plans.”
“I am thrilled to join Telesat at such a pivotal time of growth and innovation,” said Asit Tandon. “Telesat has a proven 55-year track record of revolutionizing satellite connectivity, and I look forward to leveraging my extensive network expansion experience to advance global operational excellence and service delivery in the fast-growing global broadband connectivity market.”
About Telesat
Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative global satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive profitable growth.
Continuously innovating to meet the connectivity demands of the future, Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s state-of-the-art Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, has been optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity, secure and resilient links with fibre-like speeds. For updates on Telesat, follow us on LinkedIn, X, or visit www.telesat.com.
Media Contact:
W2 Communications for Telesat
telesat@w2comm.com
Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements that are not based on historical fact and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. When used herein, statements which are not historical in nature, or which contain the words “will,” “ensures” or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements made in this press release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. Telesat Corporation undertakes no obligation to update the information made in this release in the event facts or circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press release.
These forward-looking statements are based on Telesat Corporation’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Telesat Corporation’s control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with Telesat’s business and the Telesat Lightspeed constellation. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: inflation and rising interest rates; Telesat’s ability to meet the funding conditions of its funding agreements with the Government of Canada and Government of Quebec; technological hurdles, including our and our contractors’ development and deployment of the new technologies required to complete the constellation in time to meet our schedule, or at all; the availability of services and components from our and our contractors’ supply chains; competition; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including access to sufficient orbital spectrum to be able to deliver services effectively and access to sufficient geographic markets in which to sell those services; Telesat’s ability to develop significant commercial and operational capabilities; risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; and volatility in exchange rates. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors should review the other risk factors discussed in Telesat Corporation’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, that was filed on March 28, 2024, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”), and may be accessed on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/ and SEDAR’s website at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ as well as our subsequent reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC and also available on SEDAR.
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