Boeing has announced significant changes to its leadership team, with CEO Dave Calhoun stepping down at the end of 2024 and Steve Mollenkopf taking over as independent board chair.
Calhoun, who has led Boeing since 2020, will continue to guide the company through the year to “complete the critical work underway to stabilize and position the company for the future,” according to a press release.
In a letter to employees, Calhoun expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve Boeing and emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and quality.
“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve Boeing,” said Calhoun. “We will remain squarely focused on completing the work we have done together to return our company to stability after the extraordinary challenges of the past five years, with safety and quality at the forefront of everything that we do.”
Steve Mollenkopf, former CEO of Qualcomm and current Boeing board member, has been elected as the new independent board chair, replacing Larry Kellner.
Kellner, who has served on the board for 13 years and served as its chair since late 2019, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the company.
“Boeing plays an essential role in our world, and serving this company, and our people, has been a true honor,” said Kellner.
Mollenkopf will lead the board’s process of selecting Boeing’s next CEO.
In addition, Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, will retire. Stephanie Pope, who previously served as Boeing’s Chief Operating Officer and President and CEO of Boeing Global Services, has been appointed to lead the Commercial Airplanes division.
These leadership changes come as Boeing continues to navigate challenges related to the 737 MAX crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is focused on restoring its reputation and delivering on its commitments to customers and stakeholders.
Boeing faces safety probes
Boeing is facing increased scrutiny from regulators after a string of recent incidents, dating back to the two fatal crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX.
More recently, a mid-cabin door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 spurred interested from the U.S. Department of Justice, opening a criminal inquiry into the American planemaker.
Consequently, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation notified passengers of flight AS-1252 that they may be a victim of a crime. Investigation is on-going.
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