Ken Peterman is President Government Systems at Viasat. A world leader in satellite communications, networking and related technologies, Viasat (sales ~$2B/yr) employs over 5,500 professional and support personnel worldwide. Viasat produces satellite payloads and ground infrastructure, satellite terminals, networked data links and cybersecurity solutions that provide high speed, assured, secure global communications serving both the commercial and government sectors. Viasat’s government business is a market leader in tactical networking and Link-16 datalinks; information assurance and cybersecurity; assured, high capacity satellite communications; and air/ground situational awareness.
Before joining Viasat Ken founded the SpyGlass Group, a respected thought leader in emerging defense and aerospace market trends. SpyGlass works primarily with small and mid-sized businesses to formulate effective strategies to optimize performance, maximize growth, increase new market penetration, and execute challenging business transformation and turnaround agendas.
Prior to founding SpyGlass, Ken was President, Exelis Communications and Force Protection Systems, and President, ITT Communications Systems (sales ~$1.3B/yr). In these positions, responsibilities included general management of over 3,000 employees with facilities in 12 states plus the United Kingdom. Portfolios included tactical communications systems, satellite communications systems, information assurance and cybersecurity solutions, global positioning systems (GPS), electronic protection and counter IED systems, vision systems and integrated command, control, communications and computer (C4) systems for U.S. and allied forces in over 35 countries.
Previously, Ken was Vice President, Rockwell Collins Integrated Command, Control and Communications (C3) Systems (sales ~$600M/yr) and Displays and Awareness Systems (sales ~$450M/yr). In these positions, responsibilities included general management of facilities in 5 states plus the United Kingdom. The C3 Systems portfolio included special mission communications systems, information assurance and cryptographic systems, mobile networking solutions, electronic warfare systems, and MILSTAR satellite communications systems. The Displays portfolio included head-down displays for all types of military ground, vehicular and aerospace platforms, head-up displays for tactical fighter and trainer aircraft, and helmet-mounted vision systems for tactical fighter aircraft and also for soldier systems serving the US and worldwide market.
Ken also held positions at Raytheon including Director, Tactical Systems where he managed a variety of products and systems portfolios serving the global defense communications market. He holds a BSEE (high honors) from Tri-State University (now Trine), augmented by executive education at Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University. Industry leadership includes roles as chairman of the Indiana Aerospace and Defense Council and membership in the National Defense Industry Association, the Association of the United States Army, the Association of the United States Air Force, the Satellite Industry Association and numerous other professional organizations.
As a passionate and innovative leader in the global defense and aerospace market, Ken serves on a variety of boards and advisory groups where he has helped to shape the strategic trajectories of the tactical communications, mobile networking, cybersecurity, and satellite sectors for more than 35 years.
Ken is married to Ms. Jennifer Hawks and is blessed with eight children and five grandchildren.