Executive Mosaic has presented Iridium CEO Matt Desch his 11th Wash100 Award.
Home News Iridium CEO Matt Desch Accepts 11th Wash100 Award From Executive Mosaic
Executive Mosaic CEO Jim Garrettson has presented the 2025 Wash100 Award to Matt Desch, CEO and director of Iridium Communications.
Desch earned an unprecedented 11th Wash100 Award for his continuous leadership in championing technological innovation and global expansion. Established in 2014, the coveted award is given yearly to the top 100 executives in the government contracting landscape, who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, impact and vision. Desch’s consistent display of such qualities has led to him winning the award yearly since 2015.
Jim Garrettson on Matt Desch’s 2025 Wash100 Award Win
“Matt Desch, familiar in name and solid in industry reputation, is Wash100 royalty. With his 11th win, he stands at the very top of the CEO leadership ranks—a testament to his exceptional accomplishments at Iridium and what will continue on as his lasting impact on the satellite communications industry,” said Garrettson, founder of the Wash100 Award.
“Under Matt’s guidance, Iridium has continued to expand its global reach, delivering critical, reliable connectivity for government and commercial users alike. Matt’s vision has blanketed the globe with complete overhead coverage of surface and aerial movement in addition to communication. This galactic achievement is on the heels of a very difficult start for the storied satellite firm,” he added.
“Matt has propelled not just Iridium’s success but the entire satcom landscape, and his ability to navigate an ever-changing industry with steady, strategic leadership is exactly why he remains one of the most respected executives in the field. My prediction is an Iridium that not only serves the commercial and government markets but will become essential for a majority of firms that look toward the heavens for the future,” continued Garrettson.
Driving Iridium Expansion & SATCOM Innovation
Desch has been at the helm of Iridium since 2006, helping transform the company into a global leader in satellite communications by championing the pursuit of technological innovation and global expansion. The executive prioritized the advancement of small satellites to enhance Positioning, Navigation and Timing capabilities, which was strengthened by the acquisition of Satelles and the launch of Iridium’s Satellite Time and Location service.
Iridium unveiled Project Stardust in 2024 to accelerate the development of direct-to-device satellite communication and bolster global connectivity. Other projects launched in 2024 include the satellite-enabled module for the Internet of Things and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System service.
In addition, the company secured several significant awards, including a $94 million contract from the Space Systems Command and a $491.6 million contract from the Space Development Agency. It also struck a five-year deal with L3Harris to boost the Federal Aviation Administration’s critical infrastructure resilience, while the agreement with South Korea enables its Army to adopt Iridium’s connectivity services for position and data tracking.