Boeing Defense Gets New Chief

Dec. 18, 2013 - By ZACHARY FRYER-BIGGS – Defense News

WASHINGTON — Boeing is promoting the former head of its defense unit, and elevating the current head of Boeing Military Aircraft as his replacement, the company announced Wednesday.

Dennis Muilenburg was named vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of Boeing, while Christopher Chadwick was bumped up to vice president, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Chadwick, a 31-year veteran of Boeing who was a program manager on the Bell-Boeing V-22 program, has been overseeing a military aircraft unit that is in the midst of transition as many of its legacy programs age. Now he will have to manage the broader defense portfolio through the US defense downturn.

Boeing also is giving Raymond Conner, head of the company’s commercial business, a title bump to vice chairman, but Conner will remain the functional head of his division.

Muilenburg, while also a vice chairman, is expected to become the day-to-day right-hand man for the company’s 64-year-old head, James McNerney, in Chicago.

That makes the 49-year-old Muilenburg the heir apparent at Boeing, the world’s second largest defense contractor and largest aerospace company.

The company also announced that Shelley Lavendar will take over Chadwick’s job as head of the military aircraft unit.

“Today’s announcement recognizes the tremendous performance, experience and leadership strength that Dennis, Ray, Chris and Shelley bring to our company,” McNerney said in a press release. “We will continue to leverage and grow their capabilities and experience, and that of other talented company leaders, to support our customers and achieve our near- and long-term business goals.”