Boeing names Kelly Ortberg as new CEO, replacing Dave Calhoun | Real Time Headlines

boeing company The appointment of Robert “Kelly” Ortberg to replace Chief Executive Dave Calhoun picks a longtime aerospace veteran from outside the company as the manufacturer struggles to emerge from a safety and manufacturing crisis. He will start work on August 8.

Ortberg, 64, previously led major aerospace supplier Rockwell Collins (which later became Collins Aerospace), a business that is now part of an industry giant RTX. He retires in 2021.

Ortberg, who has a degree in mechanical engineering, will face a host of challenges as Boeing CEO: continuing losses, increased regulatory scrutiny, a crisis of confidence among airline customers whose planes have been delayed, and tense labor negotiations that now include the threat of a strike. .

his Wednesday appointment Keep pace with Boeing Second quarter results, The report showed that losses exceeded expectations and sales fell by 15%.

boeing company Announced in March Calhoun will step down by the end of the year as part of a broader restructuring of the company that also includes the departure of the then-chairman and a replacement at the head of the commercial aircraft business. The changes come after a door jam burst on a nearly new 737 Max 9, reigniting federal scrutiny of Boeing as it tries to emerge from two fatal crashes of its best-selling plane impact of the event.

“The board of directors conducted a thorough and extensive search process over the past several months to select Boeing’s next CEO, Kelly,” Boeing Chairman Steven Mollenkopf said in a letter to employees Wednesday. “Kelly has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing into its next chapter. “Kelly is a seasoned leader who is deeply respected in the aerospace industry and has a proven track record of building strong teams and operating complex engineering and manufacturing companies. . “

Ortberg will also join Boeing’s board of directors.