Boeing has announced that its Board of Directors has chosen Robert K. ‘Kelly’ Ortberg as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective August 8, 2024.

Ortberg will also join Boeing’s Board of Directors.

Ortberg will take over from Dave Calhoun, who announced his retirement plans earlier this year. Calhoun has served as Boeing’s president and CEO since January 2020 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009.

“The Board conducted a comprehensive search over several months to identify Boeing’s next CEO, and Kelly’s skills and experience make him the ideal choice to lead Boeing into its next chapter,” said Steven Mollenkopf, Chair of the Board. “Kelly is a highly respected leader in the aerospace industry, known for building strong teams and managing complex engineering and manufacturing operations. We are excited to work with him as he guides Boeing through this significant period in its history.”

Mollenkopf also expressed gratitude to Dave Calhoun for his leadership, stating, “The Board would like to thank Dave for his exceptional leadership at Boeing, initially as Chair and later as CEO, particularly as he guided the company through the challenges of recent years.”

Ortberg commented, “I am deeply honored and humbled to join such an iconic company. Boeing has a remarkable history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and I am committed to working with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees to continue this legacy, with safety and quality as top priorities. There is much work ahead, and I am eager to begin.”