Dean Olmstead appointed President and CEO of SES AMERICOM

John F. Connelly to join the Board of SES GLOBAL

Dean Olmstead has been appointed President and CEO of SES AMERICOM. SES AMERICOM is the new name of GE Americom, whose 100% acquisition by SES GLOBAL was completed today (see separate release). Dean Olmstead will report directly to Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES GLOBAL, and he will also be a member of the Executive Committee of SES GLOBAL.

John F. Connelly, who served as Chairman and CEO of GE Americom since 1992, has been nominated by GE Capital to the Board of Directors of SES GLOBAL and will serve as a Vice-Chairman of the Board.

Dean Olmstead has outstanding experience in the satellite communications business, ranging from strategic planning and regulatory affairs to satellite systems and broadcast center development, implementation and operation. He brings more than 20 years of professional experience to SES AMERICOM, from assignments with the US federal government as well as business. At the US Department of State, Olmstead was responsible for satellite policy, and at NASA Headquarters, Communications Division, he served as Program Manager for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), the first Ka-band system with on-board processing.

Dean Olmstead joined SES in 1998 from Hughes Electronics Company, where he held different positions in new business development, and was last Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations, of DirecTV Japan.

At SES, Dean was the Member of the Management Committee responsible for Business Development, where he led several initiatives resulting in strategic investments by SES in leading regional satellite operations including AsiaSat in 1999. He returned to the US to spearhead SES' America's activities, which culminated in the acquisition of GE Americom.

Dean Olmstead holds a degree in Economics-Mathematics from Western Washington University, an M.S. Degree in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University School of Engineering, and completed course-work on a PhD in Economics from the American University in Washington, DC. Dean, a US citizen, is 46 years old and is married with three children.

Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES GLOBAL, on Dean Olmstead's appointment: "Dean has been successfully paving the way for SES' geographic expansion first in Asia, and now in North America. In his new position, Dean's extensive experience in satellite communications, both in the United States and abroad, will be greatly beneficial to the further development of SES AMERICOM's business in particular and to SES GLOBAL in general."

Commenting on John F. Connelly's nomination to the Board of Directors of SES GLOBAL, Romain Bausch stated: "SES GLOBAL will benefit greatly from John's extensive experience in the satellite industry and his outstanding record as a seasoned businessman."

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