Kelly Ortberg Among Top Contenders for Boeing CEO Role

Former Rockwell Collins Chief Kelly Ortberg has emerged as a leading candidate for the position of Chief Executive Officer at Boeing, according to industry officials cited by The Air Current. Ortberg joins a shortlist that includes Spirit AeroSystems CEO Pat Shanahan and Boeing Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope.

Shanahan, Pope, and Boeing Board Chair Steve Mollenkopf are also identified as key contenders for the top job at the aerospace giant. This search for new leadership follows Boeing’s recent announcement of a $4.7 billion stock deal to reacquire Spirit AeroSystems, its former subsidiary.

Ortberg retired in 2021 after a distinguished career at Rockwell Collins, where he led the company and its successor entities through significant mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring over eight years. Rockwell Collins, now part of RTX, specializes in aircraft communications, electronics, and aviation systems for both commercial and military clients.

Boeing has been seeking a new CEO since Dave Calhoun announced in March his intention to step down by the end of the year. This move is part of a broader management overhaul following a mid-air panel blowout incident on a 737 MAX plane in January.

Boeing has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the CEO selection process. The company’s decision on its next CEO is highly anticipated, given the critical leadership role required to navigate Boeing through its current challenges and future opportunities.

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