Boeing has announced that Robert “Kelly” K. Ortberg will take over as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective 08 August 2024. Ortberg will also join Boeing’s Board of Directors, succeeding Dave Calhoun, who is retiring after serving as CEO since January 2020 and as a board member since 2009.
Steven Mollenkopf, Chair of Boeing’s Board, expressed confidence in Ortberg’s appointment, emphasizing his extensive experience and leadership qualities. “The Board conducted a thorough and extensive search process over the last several months to select the next CEO of Boeing and Kelly has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter,” said Mollenkopf. “Kelly is an experienced leader who is deeply respected in the aerospace industry, with a well-earned reputation for building strong teams and running complex engineering and manufacturing companies. We look forward to working with him as he leads Boeing through this consequential period in its long history.”
Mollenkopf also acknowledged Calhoun’s contributions, highlighting his leadership during challenging times. “The Board would also like to thank Dave Calhoun for his strong leadership at Boeing, first as Chair and then as CEO, when he stepped in to steer the company through the challenges of recent years,” he added.
Ortberg, 64, brings over 35 years of aerospace industry experience to his new role. He began his career in 1983 as an engineer at Texas Instruments before joining Rockwell Collins in 1987. At Rockwell Collins, he advanced through various leadership positions, ultimately becoming president and CEO in 2013. During his tenure, he oversaw the company’s integration with United Technologies and RTX, retiring from RTX in 2021. Ortberg has also served on the Board of Directors of RTX and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Aptiv PLC as a leader in vehicle systems architecture. In addition, he is the former Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled to join this iconic company,” said Ortberg. “Boeing has a tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and I’m committed to working together with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees of the company to continue that tradition, with safety and quality at the forefront. There is much work to be done, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Ortberg holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.