Boeing has announced Robert “Kelly” Ortberg as its new CEO, effective August 8, 2024. Ortberg, who previously served as the CEO of aerospace supplier Rockwell Collins, will succeed Dave Calhoun in leading the beleaguered aircraft manufacturer.
Boeing has faced significant challenges in recent years, including safety issues related to its 737 Max flights and substantial financial losses. The company reported a $1.4 billion loss for the second quarter of the current fiscal year.
Ortberg, 64, brings extensive experience to the role. He began his career as an engineer at Texas Instruments in 1983, later joining Rockwell Collins in 1987 as a program manager. He became CEO of Rockwell Collins in 2013 and played a key role in overseeing its acquisition by United Technologies Corporation in 2018. Ortberg retired from Rockwell Collins in 2021 but has remained active as a board member at Aptiv PLC, an automotive technology supplier.
Ortberg holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa and previously chaired the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors. In his first remarks as Boeing’s new CEO, Ortberg expressed his gratitude and commitment: “I’m extremely honored and humbled to join this iconic company. Boeing has a tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and I’m committed to working together with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees of the company to continue that tradition, with safety and quality at the forefront.”
Boeing Chair of the Board Steven Mollenkopf praised Ortberg’s leadership qualities, stating, “Kelly is an experienced leader who is deeply respected in the aerospace industry, with a well-earned reputation for building strong teams and running complex engineering and manufacturing companies. We look forward to working with him as he leads Boeing through this consequential period in its long history.”
The appointment of Ortberg comes as Boeing continues to grapple with the aftermath of two tragic 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people and significant legal and financial repercussions. In 2021, Boeing pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy related to the crashes and was fined $243 million.
With Ortberg at the helm, Boeing aims to address its ongoing issues and restore confidence in its operations and safety standards.
