Viasat’s headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Photo: Viasat

Viasat is restructuring its executive team and with the changes, President Guru Gowrappan is leaving the company. 

Viasat announced Wednesday that Craig Miller, currently president of Global Space Networks, will become senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives. In addition, CTO Girish Chandran will take on additional responsibilities as president of Global Space Networks.

Viasat said Gowrappan’s departure is “mutually agreed upon” after successfully integrating Inmarsat post-acquisition, and Viasat has no plans to replace the role of president. Gowrappan, former CEO of Verizon Media Group, joined the company in April of 2023 to work on global operations and growth strategies before the first ViaSat-3 launch, when the Inmarsat acquisition was pending. 

CEO Mark Dankberg credited Gowrappan for integrating Inmarsat and overseeing consolidating the operations. 

“Leading Viasat through the successful integration of Inmarsat and playing a key role in positioning the company for future growth has been an incredibly rewarding journey. As I transition to my next chapter, I take pride in what we have accomplished together and look forward to seeing Viasat continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact around the world,” Gowrappan commented. 

Explaining the changes with Craig Miller and Girish Chandran, Viasat said Miller will work closely with Dankberg on strategic growth initiatives. Chandran will lead Viasat’s Global Space Networks organization with his expanded role, in addition to CTO responsibilities. Both Miller and Chandran have been with Viasat for many years. 

Viasat has had a number of leadership changes in recent years at the top level. In late 2020, Dankberg, who co-founded Viasat in 1986, shifted his role to executive chairman of the company, but then returned to the CEO role in June 2022.