Satellite operator Xtar LLC of Rockville, Md., said June 2 that Philip Harlow has been named president and chief operating officer, replacing Denis Curtin, who is retiring.

Before joining Xtar, Harlow worked as chief technology officer for CapRock Communications, a Houston-based satellite network services provider that is being acquired by Harris Corp. He also has held executive positions at DRS Technical Services, Intelsat General and PanAmSat.

Curtin, who has overseen the technical, business and marketing operations of Xtar since its founding a decade ago, will serve in an advisory role during Harlow’s transition and will remain on the company’s board of directors.

Xtar has yet to replace its vice president of government services, William R. Schmidt, who died April 28 of a heart attack.