Cooner to head Boeing Commercial Airplane Group

Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) president and CEO Jim Albaugh has announced he will retire after 37 years with the company, including the last two-and-a-half years as chief of Boeing’s commercial unit, on Oct. 1. Raymond Conner, BCA senior VP-sales and customer support, will replace him.

Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney said Albaugh has “helped ensure the certification and successful entry into service of the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8, and the launch of the 737 MAX.” Albaugh took the helm of BCA from Scott Carson at the start of 2010 with the 787 program in the midst of recurring delays.

Albaugh began his career with Rockwell's aerospace and defense businesses, which Boeing acquired in 1996.

Conner joined Boeing in 1977 as a mechanic on the 727 program and has been with the company for 34 years. “He has built airplanes, sold airplanes, serviced airplanes, managed our largest programs, knows our customers extremely well, and is respected by our employees,” said McNerney. “He is the natural next leader.”

Conner has held a number of positions with Boeing, including VP supply chain management and operations, VP and general manager of the 777 and 747 programs and sales VP for the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.

Boeing said Conner’s replacement will be named at a later date.

(Victoria Moores - ATWOnline News)