Avionics News May 2013 - 75

to fly and has made it a priority to continue his flight training. He
He created a business plan and eventually decided to start the
attends training at FlightSafety International every six months and
company on his own.
is currently a commercial pilot with instrument and multiengine rat“No matter where a customer’s airplane was based or where in the
ings. He holds a type rating in a Falcon and a Citation.
world they were flying, I wanted to give business aviation a solution
“I go to FlightSafety to remain at the top of my skills, but I also
for its communication needs,” Jensen said. His first office was a card
want to stay close to corporate flight departments so I understand
table in a trailer.
how they operate,” he said. Satcom Direct owns a CJ3 to use both
Success came soon, when Jensen developed the Global One
as a test bed for its products and for transportation. “It’s important
Number, a 10-digit telephone number customers could use to make
to me that we use the same services that we provide our customers,”
or receive calls that would operate just like a cellphone number.
he said.
Further, it provides customers with a fixed-cost bill each month.
Satcom Direct is based in Satellite Beach, Fla., and within the
The idea may sound quite basic. But according to Jensen, at that
next few years, the company will be moved to what Jensen calls
time and prior to Global One Number, there were 18 variables that
his “Campus of Excellence.” The campus is a 13-acre property
affected calling an airplane, which made it almost impossible. These
near Viera Boulevard in Rockledge, Fla., which is being built in
variables ranged from which long distance company the caller was
two phases. Phase one is a 25,000-square-foot data center that was
using to the exact location of the airplane. With Global One Number,
completed this spring. Phase two is a 30,000- to 60,000-square-foot
a call could be placed within 20 seconds.
office building, which will be completed in 2014. By the follow“Global One Number is what got me started,” he said. “It is my
ing year, Jensen anticipates all of the company’s operations will be
icon product. It’s the foundation of the company.”
located in Rockledge. “The Campus of Excellence is an investment
Back when the company was launched, Jensen said, “My bigin our future,” he said.
gest challenge was to demonstrate I was pioneering a solution
When it’s time to unwind, Jensen spends time golfing, fishing and
for business aircraft.” As luck would have it, he was attending an
hunting. Staying true to his Midwestern roots, Jensen also maintains
aircraft manufacturer’s conference at White Plains Airport where
the operators were complaining about connectivity issues in their aircraft. Jensen made his
solution known, and the word spread quickly
“No matter where a customer ’s airplane was based or
within the tight community of White Plains
where in the world they were flying, I wanted to give
Airport.
“I went from having five or six airplanes as
business aviation a solution for its communication needs.”
customers to having dozens,” Jensen said. “It
also showed me how important relationships
are in aviation. I had to earn the trust of those
a working farm in Iowa. It was at his Iowa farm that he found his
flight departments.”
dog, Silo, as an abandoned puppy.
But Satcom Direct’s solution went beyond the actual technology
Being raised on a farm and in a farming community has truly
in the aircraft. The accounting departments for his corporate custominfluenced him when it comes to business.
ers appreciated receiving one invoice each month with a level of
“When it comes to running a business, I have learned to ask a lot
detail just like a regular telephone bill.
of questions and surround myself with good people,” Jensen said.
“Before Satcom Direct, a company might receive invoices from
“Having a strong team environment is critical to our success. We are
a variety of sources, some with administrative fees added seemingly
very customer-focused, and I always say that my customers are my
at random,” he explained. “These invoices could arrive six months
board of directors.”
after the call was made. We provided a simple, itemized monthly
As for the future, Jensen said, “Where we’re going offers endless
bill.”
possibilities. We make sure everything to and from the aircraft is
This is what Jensen means when he talks about the customer
working. But more importantly, we also have to be proactive and
experience for Satcom Direct’s customers. He said, “It’s not just
deliver services that fit ever-changing technology needs.” He also
about the pilots – the customer experience involves maintenance,
knows smart devices play a large part in that future, from cockpit
dispatch, loved ones, executives and even the accounts payable
to cabin. Jensen wants to provide executives with the same smart
people.”
device experience they have on the ground while they are at flight
In 2002, David Greenhill joined Satcom Direct. Working together,
level 420.
they expanded the business through government and military con“Managing finances with responsibility is important where I
tracts.
come from, and I make sure to operate my business within its means
“That was a significant accomplishment,” he said. In terms of
and nurture very conservative growth,” Jensen said.
hiring, Jensen said, “I believe in hiring winners and making them
Yet, he is having a ball as CEO of Satcom Direct. In fact, Jensen
champions.”
said, “I pinch myself every day. Yes, I’m that happy.” q
To understand more about his customers, in 2003, Jensen learned
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Avionics News May 2013

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