Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is set to step down at the end of 2024, as the company continues its ongoing recovery from the 737 Max crisis. Calhoun, who was brought in to lead Boeing in 2020, will oversee the company’s efforts to stabilize and position itself for the future before his departure.
In addition to Calhoun, Boeing is making changes to its management team in an effort to improve its reputation. Independent Board Chair Larry Kellner is resigning and will be succeeded by Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing director since 2020. Chief of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), Stan Deal, will also be stepping down immediately and will be replaced by Stephanie Pope, who has been serving as the chief operating officer and overseeing the performance of Boeing’s business units.
In a letter to employees, Calhoun referenced a recent incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 as a turning point for Boeing. He emphasized the need for transparency, commitment to safety, and quality at every level of the company. Despite current challenges, Calhoun expressed confidence that Boeing will emerge from this period as a stronger company, building upon the lessons learned from its recent efforts to rebuild.
These management changes coincide with ongoing pressure from regulators for Boeing to address quality issues discovered in an audit of its 737 Max manufacturing processes. As the company continues to navigate these challenges, the new leadership team will play a crucial role in guiding Boeing through this period of transition and rebuilding.
