Leadership Team - SES Space and Defense

David Broadbent

President and CEO

David Broadbent is President & CEO of SES Space & Defense.

Broadbent joined Intelsat in November 2023 from RTX, where he served most recently as president of the company’s Space Systems business unit. Broadbent had been with Raytheon for more than 20 years in various senior business development, program execution, contracts, supply chain management and financial planning roles. Before joining Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems team in the U.K. in 2002, he worked with Vickers Defence Systems in engineering design, supply chain, and program management in both Germany and the U.K.

Broadbent earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Newcastle University and completed postgraduate studies in contract law at Northumbria University.

Nitin Bhat

Senior Vice President, Engineering

Nitin Bhat is the Senior Vice President of Engineering at SES Space & Defense. Nitin has over 30 years’ experience designing and developing wireless, terrestrial, Information Technology (IT), and cyber solutions for the U.S government and military.

In addition, Nitin has an extensive technical background in designing end-to-end solutions for mission-critical, large-scale Department of Defense tactical networks.

Nitin manages a diverse and skilled team of engineers focused on aerospace, terrestrial, cyber, networking, advanced technologies, Network Operations and Security Center (GNOSC), and software development.
Prior to joining SES Space & Defense, Nitin served at DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES) for nine years most recently as Vice President, Engineering and Technical Operations.

Todd Cotts

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Todd Cotts is a marketing and communications leader with 20+ years of experience leading strategy, product marketing, communications, demand generation, and go-to-market initiatives across commercial, government, and defense technology markets.

He has helped organizations turn complex technologies into compelling narratives that boost brand visibility, revenue growth, and customer engagement. Prior to his promotion, Todd led product marketing for commercial mobility and government verticals at Intelsat, which is now part of SES, developing positioning, messaging, launch strategies, and sales enablement programs for connectivity solutions.

As Vice President of Marketing and Communications at SES Space & Defense, he leads the company’s brand, communications, product marketing, and market engagement efforts to support long-term growth.

MICHAEL GEIST

Senior Vice President, Strategy & Innovation

Michael Geist is the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at SES Space & Defense. Michael brings more than 25 years of experience in the satellite communications industry as an innovator, product developer, and business/market developer to enhance SES’s position in the defense and government markets.

Prior to SES Space & Defense, Michael was President of Apothym Technologies Group, where he led the development of next-generation antenna and waveform virtualization technologies necessary for multi-network resilience. He also applied these core technologies to next-generation hypersonic solutions and other advanced networking platforms.

Other roles that Michael has held previously include being the Lead Architect for Gogo’s next generation In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) SATCOM network where he developed the industry’s most technologically advanced IFC modem platform, Business Area Director at Viasat where he led the development of the industries’ first practical software defined modem, Comtech where he introduced the satellite industry and defense market in particular to capacity sharing Dynamic Single Channel Per Carrier (dSCPC) solutions as an alternative to pinned up wireless circuits.

Michael received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Saint Francis University. He has also completed various executive programs at the University of Southern California (USC). He is a named contributor on several patents related to satellite communications.

Patrick Cristofari

Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting

Patrick Cristofari is the Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting at SES Space & Defense. Patrick brings more than 30 years of financial leadership experience across the aerospace, defense, and government sectors, with expertise in financial strategy, operations, planning and analysis, and program finance.

Most recently, Patrick joined SES Space & Defense from CACI, where he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Spectrum Superiority Line of Business. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Finance for CACI’s legacy National Security and Innovative Solutions (NSIS) Sector, leading more than 120 finance professionals across Program Finance, Financial Planning & Analysis, and Inventory Management in support of complex government programs.

Before joining CACI, Patrick held a number of senior finance leadership positions at RTX and its predecessor, Raytheon. His roles included Vice President of Finance for Space and Command & Control Systems, Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, and several other leadership positions supporting defense and aerospace programs.

Patrick earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Binghamton University.

Raymond Lindenmayer

Senior Vice President, Business Development

Raymond Lindenmayer is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at SES Space & Defense, where he leads the U.S. government portfolio, driving strategic growth programs and business development.

Prior to joining SES Space & Defense, Raymond served at Intelsat Government Solutions, most recently as Director of Business Development, where he helped grow a $300M annual business. Before Intelsat, he had a 15-year tenure at L3Harris in senior strategic and engineering roles.

A retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, Raymond served as Chief of Automated Logistic Technology for USCENTCOM at MacDill Air Force Base and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he was instrumental in establishing CENTCOM’s forward headquarters in Qatar.

He holds an MBA from University of Rochester, and M.S. from American University, and dual B.S. degrees from Syracuse University.

Greg Marchand

Senior Counsel

Greg Marchand is the Senior Counsel at SES Space & Defense. Greg brings more than two decades of legal leadership across the U.S. government, defense, and national security sectors.

He has extensive experience advising senior officials, shaping acquisition and assistance strategies, and leading high-performing legal teams supporting large-scale, mission-critical programs.

Most recently, Greg served as Assistant General Counsel for Acquisition and Assistance at USAID, where he led a global team providing legal oversight for more than $30 billion annually in contracts, grants, and other transactions.

Prior to that, Greg spent over a decade with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, serving in multiple management and senior counsel roles overseeing legal support for federal audits, appropriations, environmental programs, financial management, and congressional oversight.

Greg also brings more than 25 years of military legal experience through the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he currently serves in the Army Reserve.

He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.S. in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dave Sanfield

Vice President, Performance & Transformation

Dave Sanfield joined SES Space & Defense in December 2015 and serves as the Vice President for Performance & Transformation, a pivotal enterprise-wide leader responsible for driving operational excellence, continual improvement, and strategic transformation.

Prior to assuming his current position, he led the SES Space & Defense Program Management Office (PMO) where he was responsible for the success of organizational programs in support of the overall business strategy.

Dave holds numerous professional certifications including Certified Manager of Quality/Operational Excellence (CMQ/OE), ITIL v3 Expert, Project Management Professional (PMP), and DAWIA Program Management Level III.

Prior to joining SES Space & Defense, Dave served as a Department of War (DoW) Civilian, leading the DoW Mobility program at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). He previously served 20 years in the United States Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander. He is a rated Naval Aviator.

Dave grew up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and a trio of master’s degrees from the University of Maryland.

Minako Uehara

Director of HR

Minako Uehara is the Director of Human Resources for SES Space & Defense, leading enterprise people strategies that strengthen organizational performance in a complex, mission‑focused defense environment.

With extensive experience supporting both U.S. and foreign national workforces across international locations, Minako brings deep expertise in navigating DoW, federal, and defense‑industry requirements while fostering a cohesive, high‑trust culture.

Minako drives strategic HR initiatives that enhance leadership capability, modernize processes, and build a resilient, engaged workforce. Her approach blends strong business acumen with a deep commitment to supporting people, enabling the organization to operate with clarity, consistency, and confidence while aligning HR operations with the Company’s unique business demands and missions.

Rory Welch

Senior Vice President, Service Delivery

Rory Welch serves as Senior Vice President of Service Delivery at SES Space & Defense, bringing over three decades of leadership in satellite operations, ISR systems, space launch, and strategic programming.

Prior to joining SES Space & Defense, Rory spent 11 years with Intelsat, most recently as Vice President of Global Government. In previous roles, he directed operations and support services for Intelsat’s government business unit, overseeing space and ground network engineering, customer service delivery, IT operations, security, and facility management.

Rory began his career as a Senior Space Operations Officer in the United States Air Force, gaining extensive experience in national security and space operations. He holds a M.A. from Air University, M.A. from The George Washington University, and a B.A. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

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