Boeing reshuffle creates new teams for 737, 777 upgrades

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president Jim Albaugh designated veteran executives Thursday to plot the modernization of two key airplane programs, the 737 and 777, as part of a wide-ranging reshuffling of management.

The changes left in place the people now heading the new 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 airplanes, programs with a clear path forward. Albaugh's move is aimed at clarifying what happens to the 737 and the 777.

Mike Bair, who led the 787 program in its early stages, was named to head a newly created team on the future shape of the 737 single-aisle product category. His first task will be to decide this year if the company needs to put a new engine on the 737 as an interim update before a replacement jet is designed. That project seems likely to get the go-ahead, pushing out the design of a replacement plane into the 2020 decade.

And Lars Andersen, former head of the 777 program, will come out of retirement to lead a parallel team that will work on the future of the 777 large twin-engine jet category.

With the key 777-300 passenger jet threatened by the Airbus plan for a large twin-jet made of composite plastic, the A350-1000, Andersen will have to determine whether Boeing's response is an updated 777 with new engines and maybe a new wing, or an entirely new airplane.

"Defining Boeing's airplane product strategy is critical to our future growth. We need a clear vision and roadmap for both our single-aisle and twin-aisle offerings for the future," Albaugh said in announcing the moves.

Albaugh, appointed president of Boeing Commercial five months ago, also announced a string of other leadership changes ahead of Monday's two-day retreat for the airplane unit's top management:

— Howard Chambers will lead a newly created Commercial Airplanes function, Program Management, which will focus on the development of program-management skills and drive enterprise-wide best practices throughout the organization. He most recently was vice president and deputy program manager, 787 Program.

— Tim Copes was named vice president, Manufacturing and Quality, reporting to Ray Conner, vice president and general manager, Supply Chain Management and Operations. Copes most recently was president, Shared Services Group, for The Boeing Company.

— John Cornish was named vice president, 787 Final Assembly, reporting to Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 787 Program.

— Mike Delaney was named vice president, Engineering, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He has extensive engineering experience with all five Commercial Airplanes programs, including spending the last two years as 787 chief project engineer.

— Dan da Silva was named vice president, Freighter Conversions, reporting to Dennis Floyd, vice president, Technical Services,

Commercial Aviation Services. Da Silva most recently was vice president, Sales and Marketing, Commercial Aviation Services.

— Stan Deal was named vice president, Supplier Management, reporting to Ray Conner, vice president and general manager of Supply Chain Management and Operations. Deal replaces Steve Schaffer, who will retire April 1 after 36 years with the company. Deal most recently was vice president, Sales, Asia-Pacific for Commercial Airplanes.

— Elizabeth Lund will become vice president and general manager, 767 Program, reporting to Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager, Airplane Programs.

— Beverly Wyse was named vice president and general manager, 737 Program, also reporting to Shanahan. She replaces Mark Jenkins, who recently announced his retirement after 35 years at Boeing. Wyse most recently was vice president and general manager, 767 Program. She will continue to support the U.S. tanker program.

— Nicole Piasecki will lead a new BCA Business Development function responsible for the overall integration of strategic planning and analysis critical to maintaining Boeing's long-term competitiveness. She previously was president, Boeing Japan.

— Marlin Dailey, vice president, Sales, Commercial Airplanes, will lead an expanded team that also includes product marketing and market analysis.

— John Wojick was named vice president, Sales, Asia Pacific, replacing Deal. Wojick most recently served as vice president, Sales, Leasing and Asset Management.

— Mike Denton will become president, Boeing Japan, reporting to Boeing International President Shepherd Hill. Denton most recently was vice president, Engineering, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He will relocate to Tokyo.

— Ray Conner, vice president and general manager, Supply Chain Management and Operations, now has full responsibility, accountability and authority for the entire Boeing Charleston site.