Boeing adds former top admiral to board of directors

By Seattle Times staff

Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Edmund Giambastiani Jr. has joined Boeing's board of directors.

Giambastiani, 61, served in the Navy for 41 years and was vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2005 to 2007.

In a statement, Boeing chairman and chief executive Jim McNerney indicated that the addition of Giambastiani, who was the second-highest ranking officer in the U.S. military, is intended to bolster strategic thinking on the defense side of the company and to boost Boeing's influence with the Pentagon.

"His substantial experience on both the acquisition and operational sides of the U.S. military will significantly support the ongoing strategic evolution of our company," McNerney said.

On the Boeing board, Giambastiani will serve on the audit and finance committees.

During his military career he chaired the Defense Department's Joint Requirements Oversight Council, co-chaired the Defense Acquisition Board, was NATO's first commander for transformation, and led U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force, among other assignments.