Sierra – GM Of Grupo Galaxy Mexicana/DirectTV.

DIRECTV Latin America (DIRECTV LA) announced that it has named Roberto Sierra general manager of Grupo Galaxy Mexicana (GGM), the company which offers the DIRECTV(TM) service in Mexico. Sierra has been the general manager of Galaxy de Colombia Ltda. (GCL) since the launch of its DIRECTV service in 1997.

Sierra will be responsible for the development and growth of the DIRECTV business in Mexico and he will oversee its day to day operations, including human resources, information technology, finance, customer care, marketing, sales, and programming. He will report to Consuelo Sanchez-Octavio, executive vice president, North Region and Interactive Services/New Products. His appointment is effective immediately.

Sierra will succeed Edward C. Balcerzak who was appointed vice president of accounting and administration for DIRECTV LA. Balcerzak, who has been general manager at GGM since April of 2000, will be responsible for accounting, logistics, facilities and procurement. He will report to Craig D. Abolt, senior vice president and chief financial officer of DIRECTV LA.

“I am very pleased with Roberto’s appointment to lead the operations in Mexico. During the last five years he has been able to do some extraordinary work in Colombia. I’m sure that with his experience, along with the guidance and leadership of Consuelo, and the support of the Mexican team already in place, we’ll be able to meet and surpass the business goals for the operations in Mexico,” said Kevin N. McGrath, chairman of DIRECTV LA. “I am also pleased to welcome back Ed to DIRECTV LA after his assignment at GGM, where he led the company in achieving great strides in operating performance.”

Sierra joined GCL after a successful 17-year career with Grupo Carvajal. From 1989 to 1992, Sierra was general manager of Editorial Norma in Mexico City. He then returned to Colombia where he continued to work with Grupo Carvajal overseeing different areas of its businesses. In 1997 he joined GCL to launch the DIRECTV service. Since then, he has been at the helm of the DIRECTV operations in Colombia, making DIRECTV one of the leading pay- television services in the country.