66b4e0688e0317c90667df4b Dreamstime Xl 95263166

New Boeing CEO Plans Day One Presence on Factory Floor

Aug. 8, 2024

"While we clearly have a lot of work to do in restoring trust, I’m confident that working together, we will return the company to be the industry leader we all expect," Kelly Ortberg said.

Agence France-Presse

Boeing's new CEO began work at the embattled aviation giant on Thursday, vowing a personal presence on the factory floor so as to be closer to operations.

Kelly Ortberg, the former head of Rockwell Collins who was named CEO of Boeing two weeks ago, said he would be based in Seattle "so that I can be close to the commercial airplane programs," he wrote in a message to employees released by the company.

"In fact, I'll be on the factory floor in Renton today, talking with employees and learning about challenges we need to overcome, while also reviewing our safety and quality plans," Ortberg said.

"Soon I'll be visiting many of our sites and I look forward to meeting with teammates around the world."

Ortberg, 64, takes the helm as Boeing attempts to pivot from its latest crisis, prompted by a January incident in which a Boeing 737 MAX flown by Alaska Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew out mid-flight.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Boeing officials sat for two full days of questioning in a National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the incident.

Boeing officials acknowledged lapses in how the panel was removed for work in Renton without proper documentation in company systems in a process that evaded other quality control checks. The hearing also pointed to fissures in the relationship between Boeing and the machinists union.

"I will be transparent with you every step of the way," Ortberg promised, with frequent and regular reports offering comments on progress and areas of improvement.

Ortberg said he is proud to be part of Boeing.

"While we clearly have a lot of work to do in restoring trust, I’m confident that working together, we will return the company to be the industry leader we all expect," he said.

About the Author

Agence France-Presse

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2002-2024. AFP text, photos, graphics and logos shall not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP shall not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP content, or for any actions taken in consequence.