DISH Realigns Senior Management

ENGLEWOOD: DISH Network Corp. has shaken up its senior management, with Chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen relinquishing the role of president.

Erik Carlson, a 20-year DISH veteran who is currently serving as the executive VP of operations, is taking over day-to-day responsibility as president and COO. He will supervise all revenue-generating, operating and administrative units. He will report to Ergen, as will Tom Cullen, the executive VP of corporate development, and Roger Lynch, general counsel.

Bernie Han, who had been COO and executive VP, was named executive VP of strategic planning. He continues to report to Ergen.

Vivek Khemka has been promoted to executive VP and chief technology officer and formerly served as DISH’s senior VP of product management. Brian Neylon has been promoted to executive VP of customer acquisition and retention and formerly served as DISH’s senior VP of sales. Warren Schlichting moves up from senior VP of programming and media sales to executive VP of marketing, programming and media sales. John, senior VP and CIO, will assume Carlson’s role as executive VP of operations. Rob Dravenstott, who most recently served as DISH VP of IT application development, has been promoted to senior VP and CIO and will report to Swieringa.

Additionally, DISH has appointed Paul Orban, senior VP and corporate controller, as chief accounting officer.

“Bernie’s unparalleled depth as an operational and financial leader will be indispensable as we advance our work on the strategic transformation of DISH, including our entry into the wireless industry,” said Ergen.

“Erik joined us just before our first satellite launch and has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership across his many assignments throughout our business,” added Ergen. “He has a clear vision for how DISH will deliver the best customer experience and claim share in our category.”