(Reuters) – Boeing named former Rockwell Collins executive Kelly Ortberg as its new President and CEO, tasking the aerospace industry veteran with turning the struggling planemaker around.
The appointment comes after months of deliberation from Boeing as it tries to salvage its reputation and addresses questions around safety after an Alaska Airlines operated MAX 9 jet experienced a mid-air panel blowout.
Here are some facts about Kelly Ortberg, who starts the new job on Aug. 8:
WHO IS ORTBERG?
Ortberg, 64, is a Dubuque, Iowa native and has over three decades of experience in the aerospace industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.
CAREER
Ortberg began his career as an engineer at semiconductor maker Texas Instruments before moving to aircraft electronics supplier Rockwell Collins as a program manager and holding key leadership roles at the company prior to becoming its CEO in 2013.
He steered the company’s merger with United Technologies and RTX until his retirement in 2021.
During his tenure at Rockwell Collins Ortberg also oversaw the company’s development programs for Airbus A350 XWB, Boeing 787 and the Bombardier CSeries.
Ortberg also serves on the board of automotive parts supplier Aptiv PLC and used to chair the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors.
WHAT’S EXPECTED?
Ortberg’s focus will be on navigating Boeing through its safety and regulatory hurdles, while the US planemaker attempts to catch up with rival Airbus.
“There is much work to be done, and I’m looking forward to getting started,” Ortberg said after being appointed as Boeing’s CEO.
Apart from the Alaska Airlines fiasco, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has been docked to the ISS since June 6 after ferrying its first crew of astronauts there, having had its test mission drawn out after a series of issues involving its thrusters and leaks of helium.
The company posted a loss of $1.4 billion in the latest reported quarter and continues to burn cash.
(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
Source Agencies
