Boeing's board of directors has elected James A. Bell as chief financial officer for the $54 billion global aerospace company. A 31-year veteran of the company, Bell has been Boeing’s acting CFO since Nov. 24, 2003.

Bell, 55, served as senior vice president of finance and corporate controller since October 2000.

“James Bell is a superior financial leader,” said Boeing President and CEO Harry Stonecipher. “He is a proven, highly skilled manager who has intimate knowledge of our strategy and champions fiscal transparency. James will be a key member of our leadership team.”

As the corporate controller for Boeing, Bell has been responsible for managing the company’s financial and cost accounting, external reporting, cost policy, company-wide estimating, and common business systems. He has been the company’s principal interface with the board of director’s audit committee.

In 1972, Bell joined Rockwell as an accountant. He held leadership positions of increasing responsibility in auditing, program management and finance. Boeing acquired the space and defense businesses of Rockwell in 1996. Prior to his corporate controller position, Bell was the vice president of contracts and pricing for Boeing Space and Communications.

A native of Los Angeles, Bell attended California State University at Los Angeles, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

FMI: www.boeing.com