Boeing has announced a major shakeup of its leadership, with CEO Dave Calhoun announcing his intention to leave the company by the end of the year. The company’s chairman and head of commercial airplanes are also departing, with Larry Kellner not seeking reelection as a board director and Steve Mollenkopf elected to succeed him. Additionally, Stan Deal is retiring as CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Stephanie Pope will assume his position with immediate effect.
Boeing has faced significant challenges over the past five years, including two fatal crashes of the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in 346 fatalities. Most recently, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max experienced a door plug blowout in January, causing a significant hole in the side of the plane. These issues have led to multiple groundings and more than $31 billion in cumulative losses.
In a letter to Boeing employees, Calhoun called the Alaska Airlines incident a “watershed moment for Boeing.” He emphasized the importance of fixing issues, regaining stability, and restoring the company’s reputation.
Calhoun took on leadership during a challenging period for Boeing. His tenure included a 20-month grounding of the 737 Max due to a design flaw and the onset of Covid-19, which severely impacted air travel and Boeing’s customers. Despite these challenges, Calhoun played a critical role in steering Boeing through these difficult times and laying out a plan for recovery. As he steps down from his role as CEO, he will leave behind a legacy that includes significant improvements in safety measures and regulatory compliance at Boeing.
