Alvin B. (“Buzzy”) Krongard, Former Investment Banking and CIA Veteran, Joins Iridium Satellite Board Of Directors
BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Iridium Satellite is pleased to announce that Alvin B. (“Buzzy”) Krongard has joined its Board of Directors. Buzzy Krongard is the former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Alex.Brown Incorporated, the nation’s oldest investment banking firm. In addition, Krongard served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Bankers Trust, in addition to holding other financial industry posts. He also served as Counselor to the Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), then as Executive Director of the CIA from 2001 to 2004.
Iridium, as the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data communications, helps government organizations and businesses around the world communicate where there are no other forms of communication available. Iridium is the only mobile satellite communications service that provides complete pole-to-pole coverage of the earth, making it ideal for remote and backup communications. As such, Iridium has experienced substantial business growth in providing services for mission critical communications, as well as for response to natural and manmade disasters. Iridium is tapping top-level counsel as it expands its Board. The company announced its appointment of Tom Ridge, Former Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to its Board in June.
“Iridium is at a pivotal point in growing its business and expanding its services,” said Dan A. Colussy, CEO and Chairman, Iridium Satellite. “With Buzzy’s deep knowledge base in investment banking and his unmatched experience with the intelligence community, we look forward to his direction as we expand our financial resources and further serve our important customer base.”
The Iridium network is designed for communications typical in sectors including intelligence, homeland security, defense, government, emergency response, maritime and aviation. Only Iridium allows for switching and routing of mobile satellite communications in space, making it independent of land-based infrastructure, as well as making it secure, unlike other satellite communications networks. As such, Iridium enables primary and backup communications for mission-critical operations as well as manmade and natural disasters, where terrestrial, cell and radio towers can be decimated.
“I look forward to sharing my investment banking background, as well as my insight into the communications needs of the intelligence community, as an Iridium Board member,” said Mr. Krongard. “I am impressed with the unique aspects of the Iridium network and the power it brings to bear on the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT), homeland defense and other related operations. Iridium has an important customer base to serve and I am pleased to assist.”
During Mr. Krongard’s 29-year private sector career, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Alex.Brown Incorporated, as well as Vice Chairman of the Board of Bankers Trust. Mr. Krongard also served as Counselor to the Director of the CIA, then Executive Director of the CIA. The Executive Director is the third ranking position within the CIA and functions as the chief operating officer of the Agency. Krongard received an A.B. degree with honors from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law. He served three years of active duty as an infantry officer with the U.S. Marine Corps.
About Iridium Satellite
Iridium Satellite LLC (http://www.iridium.com/) is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth (including oceans, airways and Polar Regions). Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. The Iridium constellation consists of 66 low- earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites and has multiple in-orbit spares. The constellation operates as a fully meshed network and is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world. The Iridium service is ideally suited for industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation and utilities. Iridium provides service to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company also designs, builds and sells its services, products and solutions through a worldwide network of more than 100 partners.
Iridium Satellite LLC
CONTACT: Liz DeCastro of Iridium Satellite LLC, +1-301-571-6257,liz.decastro@iridium.com
Web site: http://www.iridium.com/