The race for Boeing’s new boss could come down to four candidates, including one new name.
Kelly Ortberg, former CEO of aerospace company Rockwell Collins, is being seriously considered for the Boeing chief executive position, trade publication The Air Current reported Sunday, citing industry officials.
Rockwell Collins provided aerospace systems and IT services to government agencies and aircraft manufacturers. It was acquired in 2018.
Ortberg has 30 years of experience in the aerospace and space industry, according to his profile on RTX, the company that runs the former Rockwell Collins. He retired in 2021 as an advisor to the CEO of RTX.
There have been reports of three other contenders for the job following the announcement in March that CEO Dave Calhoun would step down by the end of the year, following the affair. Alaska Airlines disaster in January.
Another candidate in the running is Stephanie Popethe CEO of Boeing’s commercial airplane division. His predecessor, Stan Deal, announced his immediate retirement at the same time as Calhoun’s resignation. Pope, a third-generation employee, was previously the planemaker’s chief operating officer and has a background in finance.
A third candidate is Pat Shanahan, the CEO of Spirit Aerodynamic Systems — the supplier that built the fuselage for Alaska’s 737 Max that lost its door plug mid-flight. Earlier this month, Boeing announced it would buy Spirit, a former subsidiary, for $4.7 billion.
Also on the list, according to Reuters, is current Boeing Chairman Steve Mollenkopf, the former CEO of semiconductor company Qualcomm Incorporated.
Boeing appears to be struggling to find a new leader. two people — Larry Culp, the CEO of GE Aerospace and David Gitlin, CEO of appliance company Carrier, declined Boeing’s requests for the position, the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month.
The company did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment, sent outside of normal business hours.
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