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Iridium Communications CEO Matthew Desch Joins AOPA Board of Trustees

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Caption: Matthew J. Desch

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) on Friday announced that Matthew J. Desch, CEO and director of Iridium Communications Inc., has joined the Association’s Board of Trustees. The Board members, all pilots, oversee AOPA and make sure it is addressing our members’ priorities.

"We are delighted to have Matthew Desch continue his service to AOPA as a member of the Board of Trustees," said Chairman William Trimble. "Along with his proven leadership on behalf of AOPA members, he brings insights into technology and aviation to our team."

"Mr. Desch is an outstanding addition to this group," said AOPA President and CEO Craig Fuller. "Our members will benefit from his leadership, business acumen, and experience as a longtime pilot and AOPA member himself."

Desch flies a turbocharged Cessna 210 single-engine aircraft. He has been a member of AOPA for 35 years and currently serves on the AOPA Foundation’s Board of Visitors.

"All of AOPA’s trustees are active pilots who volunteer their time to serve on the Board because they are committed to protecting the freedom to fly and the interests of AOPA’s members," noted Fuller.

A 30-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, Desch holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. His company, Iridium Communications, is the only provider of global satellite voice and data communications with complete coverage of the entire Earth.

AOPA is the largest general aviation association in the world, providing representation and services of value to its more than 400,000 members. Since its founding in 1939, AOPA’s mission has been to preserve our freedom to fly.

February 18, 2011