Board of Directors

Kathleen Abernathy joined the Board in March 2019 and is a member of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Ms. Abernathy currently serves on the Board of Directors of various private and non-profit companies and organizations. Ms. Abernathy served as Executive Vice President, External Affairs for Frontier Communications Inc. (“Frontier”) from March 2010 through April 2017 as well as Chief Legal Officer from 2010 through 2013. Prior to that time, Ms. Abernathy served as a member of the Board of Directors of Frontier from 2005 through 2010 and as a partner for various law firms providing policy and regulatory services for various clients in the telecommunications industry. Ms. Abernathy also served as a Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission from 2001 through 2005. Previously, Ms. Abernathy held positions with various companies and law firms related to the telecommunications industry. The Board has determined that Ms. Abernathy meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. The Board concluded that Ms. Abernathy should serve as a member of the Board due to, among other things, her regulatory and managerial experience in the telecommunications and related industries, acquired, in part, during her tenure with Frontier and the FCC.

Mr. Brokaw joined the Board in October 2013 and is a member of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating Committee. Since October 2013, Mr. Brokaw has served as a private investor through several private and public investment vehicles. Previously, Mr. Brokaw served as Managing Director of the Highbridge Growth Equity Fund at Highbridge Principal Strategies, LLC (“Highbridge”). Prior to joining Highbridge, Mr. Brokaw was a Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Perry Capital, L.L.C. (“Perry”). Prior to joining Perry, Mr. Brokaw was Managing Director (Mergers & Acquisitions) of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC (“Lazard”). Mr. Brokaw currently serves on the board of directors of Alico, Inc. and Consolidated Tomoka Inc. Mr. Brokaw previously served on several public company boards of directors including Modern Media Acquisition Corp, North American Energy Partners Inc. and Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corporation. The Board has determined that Mr. Brokaw meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. The Board concluded that Mr. Brokaw should continue to serve on the Board due, among other things, to his financial experience, acquired, in part, during his tenure with Highbridge, Perry and Lazard. Mr. Brokaw received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Virginia. Mr. Brokaw is a member of the New York Bar.

Stephen Bye joined the Board in January 2023. From November 2019 to January 2023, Mr. Bye served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of our facilities-based wireless network business. Prior to DISH, Mr. Bye was CEO of Connectivity Wireless, a provider of carrier-grade, in-building neutral host wireless solutions. Before that, he served as the President of C Spire, where he was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. Additionally, he has held a range of executive positions at Cox Communications, AT&T, BellSouth International, Optus Communications and Telstra.

Mr. Carlson, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since December 2017. Mr. Carlson is a DISH Network veteran of more than two decades, and has held numerous roles throughout the company. Prior to serving as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Carlson served as President and Chief Operating Officer. In that role, Mr. Carlson oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations including Human Resources, Operations and Information Technology, Media Sales, Marketing, Programming, Product Management, Acquisition and Retention, and Finance and Accounting organizations.

James DeFranco is one of our Executive Vice Presidents and has been one of our vice presidents and a member of the Board since our formation. During the past five years he has held various executive officer and director positions with DISH Network and our subsidiaries. During 1980, Mr. DeFranco co-founded DISH Network with Charles W. Ergen and Cantey M. Ergen. The Board concluded that Mr. DeFranco should serve on the Board due, among other things, to his knowledge of DISH Network since its formation, particularly in sales and marketing.

Candy Ergen has served on the Board since May 2001, is currently a Senior Advisor to us and has had a variety of operational responsibilities with us since our formation. Mrs. Ergen served as a member of the board of trustees of Children’s Hospital Colorado from 2001 to 2012, and is now an honorary lifetime member. Mrs. Ergen also served on the board of trustees of Wake Forest University from 2009 to 2018 and since 2019. During 1980, Mrs. Ergen co-founded DISH Network with her future spouse, Charles W. Ergen, and James DeFranco. The Board concluded that Mrs. Ergen should continue to serve on the Board due, among other things, to her knowledge of DISH Network since its inception and her service to us in a multitude of roles over the years.

Charlie Ergen serves as our executive Chairman and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of DISH Network since its formation. During the past five years, Mr. Ergen has held various executive officer and director positions with DISH Network and our subsidiaries including the position of President and Chief Executive Officer from time to time. Mr. Ergen co-founded DISH Network with his wife, Cantey M. Ergen, and James DeFranco, in 1980. Mr. Ergen also serves as executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EchoStar and served as Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar from its formation in October 2007 until November 2009. Mr. Ergen also served as EchoStar’s President from June 2008 until November 2009. The Board concluded that Mr. Ergen should continue to serve on the Board due to, among other things, his role as our co-founder and controlling shareholder and the expertise, leadership and strategic direction that he has contributed to us since our formation.

Tom Ortolf joined the Board in May 2005 and is a member of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating Committee. Mr. Ortolf has been the President of CMC, a privately held investment management firm, for over twenty years. The Board has determined that Mr. Ortolf meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. The Board concluded that Mr. Ortolf should serve on the Board due, among other things, to his knowledge of DISH Network from his service as a director since 2005 and his expertise in finance, business and risk management, in particular in light of his experience as an executive with CMC.

Joseph T. Proietti joined the Board in October 2019. Mr. Proietti is the founder and president of BNP, a consolidated investment firm where he oversees direct investments, business operations, and real estate development. Mr. Proietti has spent his career focused on driving economic development and quality of life for communities across the country. He previously served as part of the international tax department at KPMG LLP. Mr. Proietti earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, and law degrees from the University of Baltimore and the University of Denver. The Board determined that Mr. Proietti meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. The Board concluded Mr. Proietti should serve as a member of the Board due to, among other things, his financial, investment and managerial experience, acquired, in part, during his tenure with BNP.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Kathleen Q. Abernathy

George R. Brokaw

Stephen Bye

W. Erik Carlson

James DeFranco

Candy Ergen

Charles W. Ergen

Tom A. Ortolf

Joseph T. Proietti

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