ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2004--EchoStar Communications Corp. announced today that Michael Dugan, 55, has chosen to retire from his position as president and chief operating officer April 30, electing to join the board of directors and serve as a senior advisor.
Dugan, who has been with EchoStar for 14 years, will assume his duties as a board member May 6. He replaces Peter Dea, who has decided upon the conclusion of his term to resign from the board for personal reasons.
"I am grateful for the years of excellent service that Mike has contributed, and the role he played in the launch and development of our DISH Network satellite TV," said Charles Ergen, chairman and chief executive officer of EchoStar. "We would have preferred to retain Mike in a more involved capacity, but I'm delighted to have him available as an advisor."
Dugan was the chief architect of the technological foundation upon which the success of DISH Network was founded. He began his EchoStar career as vice president of engineering for the subsidiary that later became EchoStar Technologies Corp.
Dugan has shifted his responsibilities within EchoStar to devote more time to his family and personal interests. He plans to accelerate efforts to make his Whistling Elk guest ranch in northern Colorado available to disadvantaged children.
"My time at EchoStar has been an adventure, immensely fulfilling on both professional and personal levels," said Dugan. "I want to thank Charlie and all the other talented and devoted people who have made my EchoStar journey such an exciting one."
As president and COO, Dugan was responsible for all operating aspects of the company, a role that sprang naturally from his experience as president of EchoStar Technologies. That subsidiary designs, distributes and oversees the manufacture of Direct Broadcast Satellite TV set-top boxes, antennas and other digital equipment for DISH Network.
The duties of president and COO of EchoStar will be absorbed by various executives throughout the company until a successor to Dugan can be found.
"Mike will be difficult to replace, but fortunately we still have a terrific management team at EchoStar with excellent skills and a level of dedication second to none," Ergen said.
Dugan guided EchoStar through a period of tremendous subscriber growth and roll-out of local-to-local markets. When Dugan took the helm in April 2000, DISH Network had 3.9 million subscribers and served 28 markets with local TV channels. Today the company has 9.4 million subscribers and delivers local channels into 110 markets in 46 states, covering about 85 percent of all TV-viewing households. He oversaw the successful launch and implementation of nine EchoStar satellites. The most recent three satellites carry spot-beam capabilities, a technology that spawned EchoStar's leadership in the delivery of local TV channels.
"We had a close-knit team, one that drove this company to great heights and set the tone for today," he said. "I appreciate the confidence that Charlie had in me and the opportunity he gave me to do the things I never would have imagined when I joined EchoStar."
Dugan previously served one year on the EchoStar board of directors from 2002-2003. Prior to joining EchoStar, Dugan served as vice president of Engineering for Tandon Corporation, as well as director of Product Marketing and director of Engineering. He also served at Xerox Corporation for 15 years holding a variety of positions. He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.
Source
Michael Dugan Retires As President And Chief Operating Officer Of Echostar!
