Viasat Announces Appointments of Bill LaPlante and Michael Paull to Its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) has announced two strategic appointments to its Board of Directors: Dr. William "Bill" LaPlante, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Michael Paull, CEO of RBmedia and former President of Direct to Consumer for Disney Entertainment. LaPlante brings extensive defense and national security expertise, while Paull contributes significant experience in digital streaming and consumer technology.

The appointments come as James "Jim" Bridenstine, former NASA administrator, steps down from the Board effective May 9, 2025. Bridenstine, who served on the Nomination, Evaluation and Corporate Governance Committee and chaired the Banking and Finance Committee, will continue to provide advisory services through his firm, The Artemis Group.

Positive

• Addition of high-profile board members with complementary expertise in defense (LaPlante) and consumer technology (Paull)
• Continued access to Bridenstine's expertise through consulting relationship with The Artemis Group
• Enhanced board capabilities in defense contracting and streaming technology sectors

Negative

• Loss of direct board-level involvement from former NASA administrator Bridenstine

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced the appointments of  Dr. William “Bill” LaPlante and Michael Paull to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

“We are delighted that Dr. LaPlante and Mr. Paull have agreed to join our Board,” said Mark Dankberg, Chairman of the Board and CEO at Viasat. “Dr. LaPlante brings a wealth of defense and national security experience, while Mr. Paull is a proven leader in the direct-to-consumer digital streaming industry. Dr. LaPlante’s skillset in the defense area is wide-ranging, from technology, to logistics, to global alliance-building, while Mr. Paull’s expertise is similarly diverse within the digital streaming space, where he has successfully led business operations and large-scale consumer-oriented entertainment businesses. These additions to the Board reflect the Board’s commitment to ensuring we provide the right skills, expertise, and diversity of perspectives to support Viasat’s business strategy and future growth.”

LaPlante is the former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, where he was responsible to the Secretary of Defense for all matters pertaining to acquisition, contract administration, logistics and materiel readiness, installations and environment, and the defense industrial base, among other things. At the Department of Defense (DoD), Dr. LaPlante played a critical role in providing security assistance to allies and partners around the world, with a particular focus on Ukraine. Prior to this DoD appointment, Dr. LaPlante served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Draper Laboratory, a research and development company specializing in advanced technology solutions in national security, space exploration, health care, and energy.

Paull has more than 20 years of consumer product development, technology, content distribution and acquisition, and media industry experience. He is currently the CEO of RBmedia, the largest publisher of audiobooks in the world, and was previously President of Direct to Consumer for Disney Entertainment, where he oversaw Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+ globally. Paull played a key role in the Company’s pivot into the direct-to-consumer space, launching ESPN+ in 2018, followed by the launch and rapid global expansion of Disney+ in 2019, and the launch of Star+ in Latin America in August 2021. Prior to Disney, Paull held senior leadership positions with Amazon (Prime Video), Sony Pictures Entertainment, FOX Entertainment Group, and Time Warner.

Additionally, on May 9, 2025, James “Jim” Bridenstine notified the Board that he resigned from the Board, effective immediately. The former NASA administrator and U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma’s tenure on the Viasat Board was impactful, having served as a member of the Board’s Nomination, Evaluation and Corporate Governance Committee and Chair of Viasat’s Banking and Finance Committee. “We are grateful to Jim for his significant contributions to Viasat,” said Dankberg. “His deep relationships within Washington, D.C. and the space industry and experience he brings as an independent consultant providing critical government affairs, business development, and strategic advisory services to space and defense companies will benefit many in this dynamic environment and we look forward to engaging these services through his firm, The Artemis Group, going forward.”

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube.

Copyright © 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. 

Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Jonathan Sinnatt/Scott Goryl, Corporate Communications, pr@viasat.com  
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com

FAQ

Who are the new board members appointed to Viasat (VSAT) in May 2025?

Viasat appointed Dr. William 'Bill' LaPlante, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Michael Paull, CEO of RBmedia and former President of Direct to Consumer for Disney Entertainment.

What experience does Bill LaPlante bring to Viasat's board?

LaPlante brings defense and national security experience from his role as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, where he managed acquisition, logistics, defense industrial base, and provided security assistance to global allies.

What is Michael Paull's background before joining Viasat's board?

Paull is currently CEO of RBmedia and previously served as President of Direct to Consumer for Disney Entertainment, overseeing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+. He also held senior positions at Amazon Prime Video, Sony Pictures, FOX Entertainment, and Time Warner.

Why did Jim Bridenstine leave Viasat's board in May 2025?

Bridenstine resigned from the board effective May 9, 2025, but will continue to provide advisory services through his consulting firm, The Artemis Group.