David L. Calhoun is the new President and CEO of The Boeing Company beginning, January 13, 2020. In a public email he is pledging to focus on safety, quality and transparency as he heads the world’s largest aerospace company.
Calhoun, 62, has been a member of Boeing’s Board of Directors since 2009. He served as Board Chair from October 11 to December 22, 2019. Calhoun’s resume includes leadership roles at The Blackstone Group and Nielsen Holdings. During a 26-year career at GE he headed up units including GE Transportation and GE Aircraft Engines.
In an email posted on Boeing’s website, Calhoun wrote that he will be engaging with and listening to company stakeholders with complete transparency. He is vowing to achieve the highest standards of safety and quality in Boeing aircraft. He lists his primary focus as returning the Boeing 737 Max to service safety.
Boeing has been in the midst of a 737 Max crisis since two fatal crashes of that type of airplane killed a total of 346 people. Hundreds of 737 Maxes were grounded around the world in March 2019 because of safety concerns. The company had hoped a software fix would have the fleet back in the skies by the end of 2019. But then media reports surfaced that Boeing knew of other safety troubles with 737 Max wiring. The company halted production on the 737 Max in December 2019 and aviation experts believe it could be 2022 or 2023 before those planes fly again.
In addition to returning the Boeing 737 Max to service, Calhoun lists his other priorities as rebuilding trust, focusing on company values, operating with excellence, maintaining production health and investing in Boeing’s future.
Boeing is the world’s largest provider of commercial and defense aircraft as well as spacecraft. The company exports its products to 150 countries and employs 150,000 people around the world.