Boeing, a cornerstone of the aerospace industry, finds itself in the midst of a significant management overhaul as CEO Dave Calhoun announces his intention to step down at the end of 2024.
This strategic move comes at a critical juncture for the embattled company, facing mounting pressure from both regulatory bodies and its customer base following a string of quality and manufacturing issues plaguing its aircraft.
Calhoun’s departure is just one piece of a broader restructuring effort within Boeing, with Larry Kellner, the chairman of the board, also resigning and opting not to seek reelection at the company’s upcoming annual meeting in May. Taking the reins as chair will be Steve Mollenkopf, a seasoned Boeing director since 2020, tasked with overseeing the selection process for a new CEO to lead the company forward.
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In tandem with Calhoun’s exit, Stan Deal, the president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is making an immediate departure from the company. His role will be filled by Stephanie Pope, who recently ascended to the position of Boeing’s chief operating officer after successfully leading Boeing Global Services.
“As you all know, the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident was a watershed moment for Boeing,” Calhoun wrote to employees on Monday. “We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company.
“The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years,” he wrote.
The decision for Calhoun to resign was characterized as entirely his own during an interview with CNBC on Monday. In his remarks, Calhoun underscored the urgent need for action and change within Boeing, acknowledging the challenges the company faces, particularly in terms of supply chain disruptions and manufacturing quality control.
“This is a moment for us,” Calhoun stated. “We have another mountain to climb. Let’s not avoid the call for action. Let’s not avoid the changes that we have to make in our factory. Let’s not avoid the need to slow down a bit and let the supply chain catch up.”
Calhoun’s tenure as CEO has been marked by numerous challenges, most notably stemming from the aftermath of two fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which ultimately led to the removal of his predecessor, Dennis Muilenburg. Despite assurances to address quality struggles, Boeing has encountered persistent production problems, resulting in delays in delivering new planes to its customers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has responded to these challenges by ramping up oversight of Boeing, with Administrator Mike Whitaker indicating that the company will be prohibited from increasing 737 production until the FAA is satisfied with its quality control measures.
Airlines, including industry heavyweights such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines, have publicly expressed concerns over Boeing’s production delays and the need for stricter manufacturing quality controls. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary welcomed the management changes, praising Stan Deal’s salesmanship while emphasizing the necessity for new leadership to address operational challenges, particularly in Boeing’s Seattle operations.
Amidst these developments, Boeing’s stock experienced a modest uptick, rising more than 3% following the announcement of Calhoun’s impending departure. This uptick reflects investor optimism regarding potential changes within the company amidst its ongoing safety crisis.
Boeing shares have faced a significant decline this year, down 26% thus far, indicative of the turbulence being faced by the aerospace giant.