Interview with Joe Apa
Joe Apa has more than 30 years of sales experience in the satellite and maritime industries, and had several management positions both at the Satellite Operator and Satellite Re-seller level. This has included roles as SVP Maritime Sales both with Inmarsat and Speedcast.
Coupled with an outgoing and warm personality, he naturally has a strong network in this field. We have learnt that if you want to make new contacts at events, it is very helpful to walk next to Joe because he introduces you to many new people.
Director Business Development
What’s your role at Rivada Space Networks?
What drives you in your new role at Rivada Space Networks?
I am Director of Business Development. The role is multifaceted. On the one hand it is about identifying the right partners that can implement their VAS's to help us with future customers. Ultimately moving to MOU status with those key partners. Identifying new and existing use cases that can benefit from our quite unique LEO value proposition. But also, it's about educating the industry as to the benefits of Rivada Space Networks, and why we have an architecture that is like no other in the market today.
Keeping up with the rapid changes in the satellite industry. We are now in a world of great innovation covering all aspects of implementing a satellite constellation. From the way satellites are launched to the full range of manufacturing. We now have broadband speeds and low latency that the industry has never seen before. We are still identifying new use cases that will benefit from this. It's incredibly rewarding to talk to partners and users about our proposition, and the lightbulb moment kicks in.
How did you get into the space industry?
I trained as a Merchant Radio Officer. Part of that role was using radio equipment, as well as how to repair them. Such as VHF/HF transceivers, radar and satellite equipment. But back then, this training was done on the old workhorse known as the Inmarsat A. You even had to be trained in the use of Morse code. Suffice it to say that the state of the art Satcom equipment of the time really piqued my interest. Marconi Marine gave me my first opportunity to enter the satellite industry.
What's your guilty pleasure?
I enjoy collecting vintage watches. Especially the early Omega Speedmasters. The Speedmaster has a strong connection to the space programme. When Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969, he was wearing a Speedmaster. My earliest version is a 1964 Speedmaster 105.003 (aka The Ed White). They have wonderful complex movements and are extremely durable. NASA actually conducted a kind of RFI with 10 watch companies before selecting the Omega Speedmaster for use in their space programmes.