Boeing has announced that Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh, 62, will retire October 1 after 37 years with the company.
Ray Conner, 57, the head of Sales and Customer Support for Commercial Planes, will replace Albaugh.
Albaugh joined Boeing in 1975 in what was then Rockwell Corporation's defense and space business, which Boeing acquired in 1996. During his career, he served as president of Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power, president and CEO of Boeing Space and Communications, and president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
"We thank Jim for his many years of service in our defense, space and security businesses and, most recently, to Boeing Commercial Airplanes where he helped ensure the certification and successful entry into service of the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8, and the launch of the 737 MAX," said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney.
Conner is a 34-year veteran with Boeing and began his career as an airplane mechanic on the 727 program in 1977. Prior to leading global Sales and Customer Support, Conner oversaw business conducted with thousands of global suppliers, as well as the performance of the company's in-house manufacturing, quality, fabrication and propulsion systems divisions. His responsibilities included overseeing the development of Boeing's new production and assembly plan in South Carolina.
Conner also served as vice president and general manager of the 777 and 747 programs, and vice president of sales for the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions. Last year, he played a lead role in negotiating a landmark, four-year contract extension with Boeing's largest union.
"Ray's breadth and depth of experience in commercial airplanes is unmatched in our industry," said McNerney. "He has built airplanes, sold airplanes, serviced airplanes, managed our largest programs, knows our customers extremely well, and is respected by our employees. He is the natural next leader of our growing commercial airplanes business and this move is consistent with our executive succession plan."
More to follow.
