Boeing has announced that its current chairman, David Calhoun, will take over as chief executive and president of the US giant as of January 13, 2020.
Dennis Muilenburg has resigned from his positions as chief executive and board director, effective immediately. Boeing chief financial officer Greg Smith will serve as interim chief executive during the brief transition period while Calhoun “exits his non-Boeing commitments”.
In addition, board member Lawrence Kellner will become non-executive chairman of the board, effective immediately.
Boeing confirmed that its board had decided a change in leadership was “necessary to restore confidence in the company moving forward as it works to repair relationships with regulators, customers, and all other stakeholders”.
It added that, under its new leadership, the company will operate with a “renewed commitment to full transparency, including effective and proactive communication with the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration], other global regulators and its customers”.
Of Calhoun, Kellner said: “Dave has deep industry experience and a proven track record of strong leadership, and he recognises the challenges we must confront.”
He added that he hoped that, “today marks a new way forward for our company”.
In a statement released last week (on December 17), Boeing confirmed that it had pushed back the return of its 737 MAX to service.
In a statement, the manufacturer explained: “We have decided to prioritise the delivery of stored aircraft and temporarily suspend production on the 737 programme beginning next month”.
Boeing made it clear today (December 23) that these changes in its senior management directly relate to its effort to improve transparency and communication with regulators and customers in the process of safely returning the 737 MAX to service.
And Calhoun declared: “I strongly believe in the future of Boeing and the 737 MAX.”
