David Cronin's expertise in in-flight connectivity and cabin systems engineering led to his current position as vice president of commercial airline operations at Intelsat, a satellite-based communications service provider. He oversees the operational performance of more than 5,000 aircraft globally and leads a team of 77 domestic and international employees. His work requires innovative approaches to maintenance, data analysis, and real-time troubleshooting to enhance passenger experience and support airline operations, crew communications and emerging aviation technologies.

Prior to Intelsat, Cronin worked at United Airlines, progressing in roles within project engineering, interiors, and new aircraft divisions, ultimately achieving the position of director of cabin systems engineering, in which he expanded his team by 50%. He led major projects, including the $58.2 million installation of high-speed satellite-based Wi-Fi on a fleet of 400 airplanes and managed the in-flight entertainment and cabin electronics across a fleet of 1,100+ aircraft. Further, he mentored a team in the Leadership Development Program and was nominated as one of United Airlines' top 100 employees.

Since joining Intelsat in August 2024, Cronin's team has consistently reduced the number of out-of-service aircraft - now trending at an 18-month low - maximizing aircraft availability for revenue-generating flights. Also, parts consumption across the fleet has increased, the result of proactively addressing root-cause issues as a long-term strategy rather than resorting to temporary fixes. Additionally, Cronin's team led the deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of the company's first-ever Electronically Steerable Antenna, setting a new standard for connectivity solutions and positioning Intelsat at the forefront of the highly competitive aviation technology space.