Chicago, Illinois – Dave Calhoun, the chief executive of Boeing, has made the decision to step down by the end of this year, marking a significant change in top-level personnel at the US aircraft manufacturer. This move comes after a tumultuous period for Boeing, which has been grappling with the aftermath of a serious incident involving one of its planes mid-flight back in January.
In response to the impending departure of Calhoun, Boeing also announced that Larry Kellner, the chair of the company, will be leaving the board. Former Qualcomm chief executive Steve Mollenkopf is set to take over the role previously held by Kellner and will oversee the search for Calhoun’s successor. Additionally, Stan Deal, the head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, is retiring immediately, with the company’s chief operating officer, Stephanie Pope, taking over his position.
Calhoun, who has been with Boeing since 2009 and became chief executive four years ago, described the January incident as a “watershed moment” for the company. He emphasized the importance of responding with humility and complete transparency while acknowledging the need for a CEO transition at Boeing.
Following the news of Calhoun’s departure, Boeing shares saw a more than 3% increase in pre-market trading. The company had experienced a 24% plunge in share price after the incident in January, which had prompted strong criticism from its biggest airline customers over production problems and quality lapses.
Analysts have viewed the personnel changes at Boeing positively, with many believing it to be a wise move by the company’s board of directors. These changes come in the wake of a series of challenges faced by Boeing, including the grounding of its 737 Max aircraft following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people.
The move to replace Calhoun is seen as an opportunity for Boeing to address the manufacturing flaws that have plagued the company and caused delays in deliveries of its aircraft. Industry experts and stakeholders are optimistic that these changes at the top management level will help Boeing regain the trust of its customers and suppliers as it navigates through ongoing challenges.
In conclusion, Dave Calhoun’s decision to step down as chief executive of Boeing represents a significant shift in leadership for the embattled US aircraft manufacturer. The changes in the company’s top-level personnel signal a new chapter for Boeing as it looks to rebuild its reputation and address the manufacturing issues that have plagued its commercial airplane division.