Kelly Ortberg, the former chief of Rockwell Collins, is being seriously considered for the role of Boeing’s next chief executive officer, according to The Air Current, which cited industry insiders. Ortberg joins a shortlist that includes Spirit AeroSystems CEO Pat Shanahan and Boeing’s Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Pope.
Previously, Reuters reported that Shanahan and Pope were among the candidates, along with Boeing board Chair Steve Mollenkopf.
In July, Boeing announced plans to repurchase Spirit AeroSystems, its former subsidiary, in a stock deal valued at $4.7 billion.
Rockwell Collins, a division of RTX, specializes in aircraft communications, electronics, and aviation systems for both commercial and military sectors. Ortberg retired in 2021 after serving as an adviser to the CEO of RTX, following an eight-year tenure leading Rockwell Collins through various mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring phases.
Boeing has not provided an immediate comment on the matter outside regular business hours.
This leadership search follows Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun’s announcement in March that he would step down by the end of the year, amid a major management shakeup after a 737 MAX aircraft experienced a mid-air panel blowout in January.
