Boeing names Kelly Ortberg as new CEO amid ongoing recovery efforts

Ortberg’s appointment addresses two critical concerns for many Boeing critics: he is a mechanical engineer with three decades of aerospace experience—including five years leading avionics giant Rockwell Collins—and plans to establish his office in Seattle. Critics have accused Boeing of focusing excessively on financials at the expense of engineering over the past two decades. The relocation of corporate headquarters from Washington State 23 years ago was seen as a shift away from its engineering roots.

Despite concerns about Ortberg’s age (64), financial analysts view his reputation positively. Analyst Ken Herbert of RBC Capital Markets described the appointment as “a strong and safe pick” in a Reuters story. The news led to a 1.4% rise in Boeing stock today despite reports of $1.4 billion in second-quarter losses.

Commenting on his hiring, Ortberg said, “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.”