Iridium taps Boeing exec for board

McLean-based satellite network operator Iridium Communications Inc. announced that Boeing executive Kay Sears has been elected to its board of directors.

“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished executive with a keen understanding of our industry join our Board of Directors,” Iridium CEO Matt Desch said in a statement. “Kay has a finger on the pulse of the industry, and we look forward to her helping further the Iridium mission as we continue this era of strong subscriber growth and increasing free cash flow.”

Sears serves as vice president and general manager of autonomous systems for The Boeing Co.’s Boeing Defense, Space and Security unit, which she joined in February. In this role, Sears oversees development of autonomous technologies, intelligence capabilities and networking solutions. Boeing, the world’s third-largest defense contractor, announced May 5 that it is relocating its global headquarters to Arlington from Chicago.

Before joining Boeing, Sears worked as vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Military Space unit, and before that, she was vice president of strategy and business development. Sears previously was president of Intelsat General Corp. She also served as a senior vice president for PanAmSat Corp.

Sears holds a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from the University of Richmond and an MBA in information systems from The George Washington University.

Iridium operates a constellation of 66 satellites providing communications services such as broadband, voice and data communications. The company reported total 2021 revenue of $614.5 million.