Company Says It Is 'Focused On Growth, Affordability, And People Amid Streamlining'

Boeing said the day after the election that it is rotating assignments for several executives in its Defense, Space & Security unit, and plans reductions in the number of executives on its payroll ... moves the company says demonstrate its commitment to talent development as it continues to pursue the growth and affordability strategy it has followed since 2010.

"Our people and innovation are our competitive advantages," said Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg. "We are investing in both even as we are exceptionally focused on providing affordable solutions for our customers." Still, by the end of 2012, BDS expects to have 30 percent fewer executive positions than in 2010. 

The assignments listed here, and others, will be effective Jan. 1:

• Nan Bouchard will be vice president/general manager (VP/GM) of the C-17 program and Southern California consolidation. She is now VP of the BDS Program Management function.
• Leanne Caret will be VP/GM of a consolidated Vertical Lift division within the BDS Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) business unit, managing the AH-64 Apache as well as the H-47 Chinook and V-22 Osprey programs. Caret is now vice president of H-47 within BMA's Mobility division.
• Jean Chamberlin will be VP/GM of the BDS Program Management function. She currently oversees the Mobility division, which today includes the C-17, KC-46 Tanker, H-47 and V-22.
• Shelley Lavender will be VP/GM, Integrated Logistics, within the BDS Global Services & Support business unit. She will oversee a broad performance-based logistics portfolio as well as Boeing Defence Australia and Boeing Defence UK. Lavender currently is VP/GM of Global Strike for BMA. 
• Ralph Meoni will be VP/GM of a new Electronic & Information Solutions division within the BDS Network & Space Systems business unit. That consolidates his current Electronic & Mission Systems division with the Information Solutions division. 
• Tim Peters will be VP/GM of a new consolidated Mobility, Surveillance & Engagement division of BMA. That will include the C-17, KC-46, P-8 and Airborne Early Warning & Control programs. He now is VP/GM for BMA's Surveillance and Engagement division.
• Debbie Rub will be VP/GM of BMA's Global Strike division, managing the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler programs, along with the F-15 and missile programs she currently manages. Rub also currently oversees unmanned systems programs. Given the importance of these, their management will continue reporting to BMA President Chris Chadwick. However, to maximize affordability, their functional support will be shared with other BMA organizations.

Since 2010, in response to changing market conditions, BDS has been driving productivity improvements to reduce costs, bolster its competitiveness and enable future growth. It has achieved $2.2 billion in savings by reducing overhead costs, working with suppliers on efficiency improvements, and rationalizing facilities space.

In terms of facilities space, for example, BDS is implementing a greater than 10 percent reduction and is looking for more over time. These steps allowed Boeing to invest in growth opportunities such as the Phantom Eye hydrogen-powered unmanned airborne system, 702SP (small platform) satellite, Maritime Surveillance Aircraft, and numerous international campaigns.

The affordability efforts continue, because additional cost reductions are needed, and are supported by reductions in executive ranks and overhead costs. "We are at one of the most challenging yet opportunity-rich times in our history," Muilenburg said. "While funding for the U.S. Department of Defense is under extreme pressure, we're innovating and expanding our core, in the U.S. and around the globe, to sustain and grow our business."

FMI: www.boeing.com