RICHARD DALBELLO NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE SATELLITE BROADCASTING AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 17, 2004 – Current Satellite Industry Association (SIA) President Richard DalBello has been named the President of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) effective March 30, 2004.  DalBello has served as the SIA President for the last three years.  In this position he has been the principal advocate for satellite manufacturers, operators and ground equipment suppliers for regulatory and public policy issues.

Commenting on the new appointment, David Moskowitz, general counsel of Echostar Communications and current SBCA chairman, said, "As a result of Richard’s past experience in the public and private sectors he has an unmatched appreciation for the complexity of the issues affecting our industry.  Richard has also demonstrated the ability to lead and build consensus in an environment often characterized by rapid change and strongly-held opinions.  I am confident that Richard possesses the skills, energy and enthusiasm to be our industry’s chief advocate."

"The SBCA job is an extraordinary opportunity and a unique challenge,” commented DalBello. “Issues such as the reauthorization of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA), which is currently before the Congress, and the increasing problem of local taxation, will provide us with great opportunities to reinvigorate the SBCA and to expand our membership in the coming months.  I look forward to leading an industry that has committed itself to providing competition and choice for consumers throughout the United States regardless of location or geography." 

DalBello, 50, joined SIA in August 2001, with over 20 years experience in the space and communication fields.  Prior to joining SIA, Richard was the General Counsel of Spotcast Communications.  Before Spotcast, Richard was Vice President of Government Affairs, North America, for ICO Global Communications, a global provider of mobile satellite communications services. Before joining ICO, Richard served as the Assistant Director for Aeronautics and Space in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).  As assistant director, Richard played a lead role in the Administration’s efforts to increase competition in the international satellite industry, develop next generation launch technologies, and to encourage the commercial use of the Global Positioning System.  Prior to joining the White House, Richard held senior positions at NASA and the Department of Commerce.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry.  It is committed to expanding the utilization of satellite technology for the broadcast delivery of video, audio, data, music, voice, interactive, and broadband services.  The SBCA is composed of DBS, C-band, broadband, satellite radio, and other satellite service providers, content providers, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retailers, encryption vendors, and national and regional distribution companies that make up the satellite services industry. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com.