Commercial Airplanes Reorganized; Airplane Programs
Revamped
With
mounting troubles for its 787 Dreamliner
program and continued difficulties in returning to
full production after a crippling labor strike, it's apparent
Boeing currently finds itself in need of some assistance, and
perhaps a clearer focus.
What it got, for better or worse, was a management
reorganization.
The planemaker announced Thursday a series of executive
leadership changes and a restructuring within Boeing Commercial
Airplanes to "better align resources across its development and
production programs and strengthen oversight of its global supply
chain."
Effective immediately, Commercial Airplanes Supplier Management,
Fabrication, Propulsion Systems and the Manufacturing and Quality
functional organization are part of a new organization, called
Supply Chain Management and Operations, led by Ray Conner. Conner,
53, has extensive experience in program leadership and
manufacturing and supply chain management. He most recently was
vice president of Sales for Commercial Airplanes.
All current production and development programs, including the
787 Dreamliner and 747-8, are being brought together in a new
Airplane Programs organization reporting to Pat Shanahan, formerly
vice president and general manager of the 787 program. Shanahan was
brought in last year to revamp what was then a mildly-troubled 787
program.
In his expanded role, Shanahan (below) will continue to have
direct oversight and accountability for the 787, with Scott Fancher
becoming that program's vice president and general manager.
Fancher, 50, who has extensive program management, systems
engineering and advanced design experience, previously led the
company's missile defense business.
"The steps we are taking today will sharpen our management focus
and bring our organizational structure to bear to improve execution
in our supply chain, as well as on our development programs," said
Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"These moves will help drive results through our entire development
and production system, deliver value to our customers and enhance
our overall competitiveness."
Carson said Shanahan's outstanding program management skills and
leadership will "ensure complete focus on execution and the
efficient, seamless use of resources, talent and best practices
across all our programs, while he continues driving results on the
787."
Carson also said Conner's depth of experience "will be applied
to improve supplier performance and ensure that the supply chain
provides the best value to our organization and ultimately our
customers." Conner's prior positions include leadership of the 777
and 747 programs as well as the Propulsion Systems Division. He
also has held a number of positions in supplier management during
his 30-year Boeing career.
"Together, Pat and Ray will work in strong partnership to drive
results from our entire production system and supply chain," Carson
said.
Carolyn Corvi, who led the previous Airplane Programs
organization, has announced she will retire at year's end after a
34-year career at Boeing. "On behalf of everyone at Commercial
Airplanes and the entire Boeing enterprise, I want to thank Carolyn
for her outstanding vision and leadership in transforming our
production system and dramatically improving our productivity
throughout her career," Carson said.
Marlin Dailey succeeds Conner as vice president of Sales.
Dailey, 52, is a 28-year Boeing veteran who most recently led
Commercial Airplanes sales efforts in Europe, Russia and Central
Asia.