Update:
This story was originally published on July 31, 2024, but is being regenerated on Aug. 8, 2024 for Ortberg's first day as CEO.
Boeing’s new CEO started career at Dallas’ Texas Instruments
Robert K. Ortberg, 64, got his start at Dallas-based Texas Instruments as an engineer.
Boeing Co. has tapped a former Texas Instruments engineer to lead the firm, the company announced Wednesday.
Robert K. “Kelly” Ortberg, 64, will take over running the company on Aug. 8 as CEO and president, and a board member, succeeding Dave Calhoun, who announced he would retire from the company following a string of safety issues with Boeing aircraft.
“The board conducted a thorough and extensive search process over the last several months to select the next CEO of Boeing and Kelly has the right skills and experience to lead Boeing in its next chapter,” said Steven Mollenkopf, chair of the board in a release.
Ortberg began his career in 1983 as an engineer at Dallas-based Texas Instruments, then later joined Rockwell Collins in 1987 as a program manager. He worked his way up through the company, becoming its president and CEO in 2013.
Ortberg also has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.
“Boeing has a tremendous and rich history as a leader and pioneer in our industry, and I’m committed to working together with the more than 170,000 dedicated employees of the company to continue that tradition, with safety and quality at the forefront,” Ortberg said. “There is much work to be done, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Boeing has a few leaders connected to Dallas. Stephanie Pope, currently chief operating officer for Boeing, was vice president and chief financial officer of Boeing Global Services, which is headquartered in Plano. Stanley Deal, former executive vice president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, also previously led Boeing Global Services.
