Boeing Executive Overseeing Division with 2 Astronauts in Space is Departing

In a notable development, Ted Colbert, the head of Boeing’s defense, space, and security division, is departing from the company after a tenure of 15 years. This news was communicated to staff by CEO Kelly Ortberg in a memo released on Friday, as reported by CNBC.

In the memo, Ortberg expressed gratitude for Colbert’s contributions to Boeing and informed employees that Steve Parker, the current chief operating officer of the defense, space, and security division, will temporarily take on Colbert’s responsibilities until a permanent replacement is named.

Colbert and other representatives from Boeing did not immediately provide comments regarding this departure to Business Insider.

Ortberg’s memo emphasized the urgency of restoring customer trust while striving to meet the high standards expected of Boeing. “At this critical juncture, our priority is to restore the trust of our customers and meet the high standards they expect of us to enable their critical missions around the world,” Ortberg wrote, reiterating a commitment to improve company performance to fulfill existing obligations.

Colbert’s exit occurs during a challenging period for Boeing, marking the first executive departure since Ortberg took the helm as CEO. The reasons behind Colbert’s departure remain uncertain.

Under Colbert’s leadership, Boeing’s defense, space, and security division has faced several challenges. Issues have arisen concerning budget overruns in the development of the next-generation tanker for the US Air Force, as highlighted by Defense News. Furthermore, the division has encountered setbacks with its Starliner spacecraft.

Earlier this month, the Starliner successfully returned to Earth but did so without the NASA astronauts who had piloted it to the International Space Station. These astronauts will remain on the ISS and are scheduled to return on a SpaceX vehicle in February 2024. This decision was made due to ongoing concerns regarding thruster issues and a helium leak associated with the Starliner.

Since the beginning of the year, Boeing’s stock has faced a significant decline, down more than 39%. This decrease reflects the mounting challenges the aerospace company is encountering amid production difficulties and various operational setbacks.

The corporate landscape at Boeing is indeed undergoing significant change, and as the company searches for a new leader for its defense, space, and security division, all eyes will be on how the organization addresses its current challenges and works to regain the confidence of its stakeholders.

Source: CNBC; Business Insider