Telecommunications: MATTHEW J. DESCH

Desch has led Iridium for 16 years and serves on its board. The satellite communications company connects clients around the globe, reporting more than 1.72 million subscribers and $614.5 million in 2021 revenue.

Iridium operates 66 low earth orbiting satellites and works with partner companies to provide voice and data communications services, including Wi-Fi hotspots, satellite phone service and broadband for maritime vessels. In May, Iridium and General Dynamics won a $324.5 million contract to provide ground control and operations services for the Space Development Agency.

An Ohio State University graduate, Desch earned his MBA at the University of Chicago in 1986. After working as a supervisor at AT&T Bell Laboratories, he became an executive at Nortel Networks. He was CEO of Telcordia Technologies and was chairman of Airspace Networks for nearly 10 years.

Desch is a member of the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee and serves on Northern Virginia Technology Council’s board of directors. A private pilot for decades, he’s also been on the board of trustees for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 2011.