Boeing’s Fresh Leadership Faces Age-Old Challenges

Dennis Muilenburg, David Calhoun, and now Kelly Ortberg — this marks Boeing's third CEO in just five years. In different circumstances, it could be considered one of the best jobs in the world. However, Ortberg might face more challenges than glamour in this role. As the newly appointed CEO of one of the world's largest aerospace companies, he faces a daunting task.

Who is Kelly Ortberg?

Robert Kelly Ortberg, born in April 1960 in Dubuque, Iowa, brings over three decades of extensive experience in aerospace and mechanical engineering to his new role. Ortberg began his career as an engineer at semiconductor manufacturer Texas Instruments before transitioning to Rockwell Collins, an aircraft electronics supplier. There, he held key leadership roles, eventually becoming CEO in 2013. During his tenure, Ortberg played an essential role in the company's merger with United Technologies and RTX, a testament to his strategic insight and leadership, steering the business until his retirement in 2021.

Ortberg oversaw the development programs for some aircraft models, including the Airbus A350 XWB, Boeing 787, and Bombardier CSeries. In addition to his extensive experience in aerospace, he serves on the board of automotive parts supplier Aptiv PLC and previously chaired the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors.

What the future holds for the new CEO?

From 2020 to 2024, David Calhoun's primary mission was to end the 737 MAX grounding, restore public trust in both the aircraft and the company, and work closely with engineers and the FAA to address and resolve the issues that plagued the aircraft. However, with the new problems inside the Boeing company, the new CEO has a 10x more difficult task. People lost their trust in Boeing after the 737MAX fatal crashes. Still, with a lot of work, the company regained the trust of public opinion. The general public had almost forgotten the turbulent past of the company; however, at the beginning of the year, the American manufacturer went again into the headlines after new questions about safety protocols and manufacturing flaws in the assembly line, which made people lose trust in the company again. But trust is hard to regain, especially 2 times in a row. Ortberg must prove to the general public and airlines that The Boeing Company can fix all the problems inside the manufacturing line. At the same time, he must prove to the shareholder's board that the company can be profitable under his leadership.

Boeing's problems began way before the 737 MAX crashes, long before the project was even on paper. The company deceived the world, and while people gave Boeing a second chance, believing they had learned from past mistakes, they prioritised profit over safety, risking lives in the process. "Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid." Boeing is now paying dearly for it. The new CEO must address these deep-rooted issues within the company and eliminate them once and for all.