Thuraya Appoints Joseph R. Francis as Regional Director, North America to Support of Government Solutions

DUBAI (Nov. 13, 2012) – Industry leading Mobile Satellite Services operator, Thuraya Telecommunications Company today announced the appointment of Joseph R. (JR) Francis as its Regional Director, North America. Mr. Francis will be based in the U.S. and will oversee business development and solidify Thuraya’s support of the Government market. His areas of focus will include operations, management and support of Service Partners and identification of new market opportunities.

Robert Demers, Thuraya’s Vice President of Government Solutions said, “We are delighted to have JR as part of the Thuraya team. JR will be instrumental in supporting our ambitions to grow our business with the U.S. Government and in providing local support and expertise to our Service Partner network focused on this sector.”

JR Francis said, “I am excited to be joining Thuraya, an established MSS provider and to be part of the Company’s plans to support the North America market. I am looking forward to supporting the growing demand from government users requiring innovative and cost-effective satellite-based services. With its broad geographic footprint and technologically superior products, Thuraya has a strong value-proposition of providing cost effective and secure mobile satellite solutions that meet or exceed our government users’ requirements.”

JR has over a decade of experience in the satellite and aerospace industry, and has worked for companies such as Honeywell where he supported NASA programs and Loral. He joins Thuraya from SES where he held a variety of management and leadership roles focused on the U.S. Government market. Most recently, JR led the program management team at SES Government Solutions and was responsible, for managing the program portfolios to include P&L, technical performance, and identifying and capturing growth opportunities. JR holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He also served in the United States Air Force for four years prior to entering the corporate world.

About Thuraya Telecommunications Company (www.thuraya.com)
Thuraya Telecommunications Company is an industry leading MSS operator and a global telecommunication provider offering innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including energy, broadcast media, maritime, military and NGO.

Thuraya’s superior network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two thirds of the globe by satellite and across the whole planet through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. The company’s diverse range of technologically superior and highly reliable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency.

Thuraya remains committed to serving humanity through delivering the essential tools for optimal connectivity, never leaving anyone out of reach.

# # #

Shereen Hanafi
Director of Communications
Thuraya
Tel: + 971-4-4488-888
Fax: +971-4-4488-899
Email: [email protected]