[Satellite TODAY Insider 10-14-11] Satellite operator Eutelsat Communications’ board of directors has unanimously decided to propose the nomination of Jean-Martin Folz as a board member at a Nov. 8 general assembly of shareholders, the company confirmed Oct. 13.

   Eutelsat said that, if elected, Folz would succeed board member and former CEO Giuliano Berretta.

   Berretta resigned his position as CEO of Eutelsat in November 2009, turning over leadership of the FSS operator to Michel de Rosen in June 2009. Berretta continued on as chairman, to oversee growth potential in markets such as broadband and HD.

   “The board is delighted to propose Jean-Martin Folz to join our Board and believes he has all the qualities to assume the role of Chairman, succeeding Giuliano Berretta whose mandate expires in November. Folz’s extensive business experience on an international scale will add further strength to our board’s ability to oversee the expansion of our business for the long term, building on the outstanding achievements accomplished under the chairmanship of Giuliano Berretta over the last six years,” Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen said in a statement.

Eutelsat would not comment on the reason behind Berretta’s departure from the board.

   Folz, the former chairman of the French Association of private companies from 2007 to 2010, began his career in French government administrations, where he served in various ministries from 1972 to 1978 before joining Rhône-Poulenc as plant manager. He became chairman and CEO of Jeumont-Schneider in 1984 and joined Péchiney as its CEO in 1987. He also served as CEO of Eridania Béghin-Say from 1991 to 1995. His current board memberships include Alstom, Axa, Saint-Gobain, Société Générale and Solvay.