Boeing has elected Dennis Muilenburg as the US planemaker's 10th chief executive, succeeding Jim McNerney.
Muilenburg, who has served as Boeing president and chief operating officer since 2013, becomes president and chief executive on July 1.
McNerney, who joined Boeing's board of directors in 2001, continues as its chairman. To ensure a smooth transition of his responsibilities to Muilenburg, McNerney will continue working as a company employee until retiring at the end of February 2016.
"Dennis is an extremely capable, experienced and respected leader with an immense passion for our company, our people, and our products and services," said McNerney, who made priorities of succession planning and leadership development at the outset of his tenure.
Muilenburg, 51, is a 30-year company veteran. Along with Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive Raymond Conner, he also has served since 2013 as company vice chairman.
Conner, 60, remains in charge of the $60bn Commercial Airplanes unit and will serve as sole company vice chairman, where he will continue working closely with Muilenburg on key corporate processes and integrating cross-enterprise strategies and efficiencies.
Said Muilenburg: "Our company is financially strong and well positioned in our markets. As we continue to drive the benefits of integrating our enterprise skills, capabilities and experience – what we call operating as 'One Boeing' – we will find new and better ways to engage and inspire employees, deliver innovation that drives customer success, and produce results to fuel future growth and prosperity for all our stakeholders."
