Seven months after the exit of Michael Neuman, EchoStar Communications finally, and formally, named his replacement, giving Carl Vogel the president’s title, officials said Monday.
EchoStar appointed Vogel president, overseeing day-to-day operations for Dish Network, effective immediately. Vogel will continue to serve as vice chairman of EchoStar's board.
The direct-broadcast satellite provider also named Bernard Han chief financial officer, effective Sept. 28, succeeding David J. Rayner, who will assume the new role of executive vice president in charge of the company's national installation and service network.
Vogel has most recently focused on EchoStar’s financial and strategic initiatives, and he will retain responsibility for them. He returned to EchoStar in May 2005 after serving as president and CEO of Charter Communications.
Vogel replaces Neuman, former EchoStar president and chief operating officer, who left the company in February after serving only eight months in those roles. Neuman’s post has been vacant since then, with the company saying in February that Vogel and chief technology officer Michael Dugan would assume his responsibilities.
Before joining Charter, Vogel held various senior executive positions with companies affiliated with Liberty Media, and he was responsible for portfolio investments in subscription television, content distribution, broadband, telecommunications and satellite sectors worldwide.
He was also chairman and CEO of PrimeStar and CEO of StarChoice until each company was sold or merged with other satellite operators. Vogel served as EchoStar's president from 1994-97 and was a key member of the executive team that created and launched Dish in 1996.
Until last year, Han was executive VP and CFO of Northwest Airlines, the world's fourth-largest airline. Before that role, Han held the CFO and chief marketing officer roles at America West Airlines. He began his career in the space and communications group of Hughes Aircraft and then at American Airlines.
Han will report to EchoStar chairman and CEO Charles Ergen.
Rayner joined EchoStar in December 2004 as CFO. He will now lead the company's national installation and service network. Before joining EchoStar, Rayner served as senior VP and CFO of Time Warner Telecom. Rayner will report to Vogel.
