Speaker

Richard Hadsall was formerly VP of Global Network Operations for Kymeta Corp (2016-2023) as well as an independent consultant. He was formerly the company founder and former Senior Vice President and CTO of MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), a SeaMobile company through Sept 2015. He was also the CTO of MTNGS (MTN Government Services) in Leesburg, VA. Since 2006. Mr. Hadsall held the position Sr. Vice President & CTO of MTN, Inc. during its management owned phase 2003 – 2006. Mr. Hadsall held the position Sr. Vice President & CTO of MTN, Inc. during its ATC Teleports owned phase 2000 – 2003. Mr. Hadsall held the position of VP of Operations of MTN, Inc. during its ICG Satellite Services owned phase 1995 – 2000. Through December 1994, Mr. Hadsall was President and Chief Operating Officer of Crescomm Telecommunications Services, Inc., (CTS-Fla.) then parent company of Crescomm Transmission Services, Inc (CTS-NJ), Which ran the day-to-day operations of Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc., (MTN) a then joint venture partnership founded between SeaTel, Inc. of Concord, Ca. and Mr. Hadsall at Crescomm Transmission Services, Inc. In this role he directed all aspects of company operations, international satellite network design, development, and implementation worldwide. He also designed and maintained classified military communications, command and control system integration, operation, and military staff training of C3I tactical services. He was responsible for USG classified and system briefings to Navy Admirals prior to acceptance of MTN system installations on Naval vessels. In this position, Mr. Hadsall was also charged with the development of all new telecommunications technology, which the company expected to develop and offer as a future product or service. June 1976 through May 1994, Mr. Hadsall was the Founder, President & CEO of Crescomm, Inc (a telecommunication product manufacturer and services provider) and Crescomm Transmission Services, Inc., founded in April 1981 as a satellite common carrier. Using the Crescomm Transmission Services, Inc. operating company, Mr. Hadsall founded the Holmdel, New Jersey Satellite Teleport in April 1984. Mr. Hadsall developed the first Intelsat certified C-Band transportable Std. F1 earth station, licensed by the FCC, (December 1984) Mr. Hadsall designed and built the first FCC licensed hybrid C & Ku band transportable satellite Uplink truck, January 1985. Mr. Hadsall was a key contributor to developing, integrating, and implementing 13 tactical earth stations throughout Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq during a four-week period in support of Operation Desert Storm. Mr. Hadsall also developed and integrated a group of four flyaway C-band earth stations within a two-week period for the telecom needs of ABC, NBC, CNN and the US Embassy in support of Operation Good Hope, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Mr. Hadsall was Co-Founder of Maritime Telecommunications Network, Inc., (MTN) a then joint venture (JV) partnership between SeaTel, Inc and Crescomm Transmission Services, Inc. Mr. Hadsall and SeaTel developed the first Intelsat certified (CRE-6G) transmit capable shipboard stabilized satellite platform (Satellite Mobility) for the US Navy in 1986. This product was classified by the USG two years prior to being declassified for commercial use in May 1988. Mr. Hadsall founded Crescomm Enterprises, INC., 1981 a distributor of electronic products for the telecommunications and aerospace industry. Mr. Hadsall founded R&J Earth Satellite services, Inc. in 1979, an integrator and Service Company for security and government communications equipment and services. Mr. Hadsall received his education at the Newark College of Engineering (now known as NJIT). Richard Hadsall is one of that rare breed of technologists who is also a successful company founder and leader. Crescomm Transmission Services, launched in 1976, was his first venture, which evolved in 1981 into Maritime Telecommunications Network or MTN. Five years later, Richard developed a technology (Satellite mobility) that would forever transform communications on the move: the motion-stabilized VSAT antenna (Comm’s on the Move – COTM), which could maintain its lock on a spacecraft 22,000 miles away while a ship (or vehicle) pitched and rolled underneath it. Under his technology leadership, MTN pioneered a unique business model, in which the company became the communications partner of its Government and Cruise line customers and introduced a series of passenger and crew services that generated revenue shared by the Cruise lines and MTN. Success with Cruise lines allowed the company to expand into other maritime markets including ferries, private yachts, oil & gas vessels and commercial ships. This ultimately led to its ninth (9th) company acquisition, in 2015, by EMC, Followed again, one year later by its acquisition in 2016, by Global Eagle Entertainment. Though he is known as the “Father of Satellite Mobility”, stabilizing an antenna was only one of Richards many technology firsts. He pioneered the use of C- and Ku-band broadband at sea for delivering voice, Internet, and video. His work enabled the first live broadcast from a nuclear submarine for ABC”s Good Morning America show, and a live uplink from a moving Amtrak train for the programs week-long Whistle Stop coverage of the 2008 Presidential election. In 2011, he became one of the few satellite engineers to receive an Emmy Award for retrofitting a Ford F350 pickup into the NBC Bloom-Mobile, a satellite-based (COTM) mobile communications platform that allowed the late NBC reporter / Today Show Anchor David Bloom, to broadcast live coverage of the War in Iraq while moving across the Iraqi desert at speeds up to 70 mph. When asked about his long and entrepreneurial career in the industry, Richard said, “Having the opportunity to pioneer the merging of satellite and communications technology more than four decades ago has led to a very satisfying and productive career. It’s an honor to have been part of those teams and to be recognized through SSPIs induction into the Satellite Hall of Fame”. At the 2015 awards dinner, the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) inducted Hadsall into its Satellite Hall of Fame. Hadsall had the honor of joining an esteemed list of visionaries who made invaluable contributions in the sector. A few days after his induction to the Satellite Hall of Fame, Via Satellite Magazine followed by presenting Hadsall with its Lifetime Achievement Award during an annual Excellence Awards breakfast. The event honored those companies, technologies, campaigns, and innovative people who have personally shaped the success of the global satellite industry. Work History Integrasys, S.A.; Vice President Americas; Business Development February 2025 – Present Independent Consultant; (Self-Employed) September 2015 – Present D-Orbit USA; Satellite Network Design Consultant December 2024- July 2025 Terran Orbital Corporation; Satellite Network Design Consultant November 2023 – December 2024 Kymeta Corporation; Vice President Global Network Operations October 2016 – July 2023 MTN Satellite Communications; Founder and Chief Technology Officer January 1981 – September 2015