When Boeing appointed Stephanie Pope as the chief operating officer in December, many saw it as a precursor to her potentially taking over from the current CEO, Dave Calhoun. However, following the company’s recent crisis, Boeing is now on the lookout for a new chief executive.
Unexpected Resignation and Management Changes
In a surprising move, Boeing announced that Dave Calhoun would step down by the end of the year, earlier than anticipated. Shortly after, the chairman of Boeing’s board resigned, and the head of the commercial planes division also left the company.
Challenges and Renewed Concerns
The need for a new CEO arose after an incident where a 737 Max 9 jet malfunctioned during an Alaska Airlines flight, raising fresh concerns about the safety and quality of Boeing’s aircraft. This incident follows the tragic crashes involving 737 Max 8 planes in 2018 and 2019, further complicating Boeing’s recovery efforts.
Boeing faces the critical task of selecting a leader who can rebuild trust with regulators, airlines, employees, and investors by demonstrating a solid commitment to enhancing product quality and safety standards.