[Satnews] Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) has appointed Yona Ovadia as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 31, 2016, replacing Dov Baharav, who shall remain Gilat's Chairman of the Board of Directors.

On behalf of Gilat's Board of Directors, Dov Baharav said, "Yona, as a business leader with a strong track record of delivering results, will be taking Gilat forward to materialize its promising strategic directions. Yona and I have worked closely together for many years, and recently at Gilat. His experience and capabilities will be crucial to Gilat's continued long-term profitable growth, building and expanding Gilat's strategic business pillars. After nearly a year as interim CEO of Gilat, we have successfully positioned the company as a leader in its strategic growth markets. I am confident in Gilat's continued success under the leadership of Yona and the management team in place, which is poised to successfully capture new opportunities. As Chairman, I will remain active in realizing Gilat's great potential in 2016 and beyond."

Mr. Ovadia joined Gilat in April 2015 and had previously served in various managerial posts at Amdocs for 30 years, including as Amdocs Executive Management member. In the past, Mr. Ovadia managed thousands of employees and projects of hundreds of millions of dollars. Yona holds a BSc in Math and Computer Sciences from Tel Aviv University.

Mr. Ovadia said, “I am both honored and excited at the opportunity to be Gilat's next CEO. I am positive that Gilat has the strategy, the leadership, the technology, the global presence, and most importantly - the people - to deliver upon its vision, expand the success we already see and achieve long term profitable growth as well as make Gilat a place of excitement and fulfillment for its employees, all over the world."