Boeing promotes government operations leader Tim Keating ahead of 797 decision

(Boeing)

Boeing has promoted Tim Keating to executive vice president of government operations.

Keating, 56, has served as senior vice president of government operations since joining Boeing in May 2008. He leads the unit's office in Arlington, Virginia, heading up the company's public policy efforts, including all U.S. federal, state and local government liaison operations.

Boeing's government operations unit will play a key role as the jet maker comes closer to making a decision about whether to launch a new mid-sized airplane and where to build it.

Tax incentive packages offered by lawmakers and bureaucrats in Washington state and competitors for the new jet, dubbed the 797, will be among the top factors that influence the company's decision.

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said Keating will also serve on Boeing's Executive Council, a select group of top leaders and executives, and continue to lead the Boeing Global Engagement organization, the company's philanthropic unit.

"This well-earned promotion recognizes Tim's many contributions to our company over the past decade and reflects the critical role he and his talented team play every day in the long-term success of our business," Muilenburg said in a news release. "Tim has worked tirelessly to develop and strengthen relationships at all levels of government and in our communities to help ensure our collective voices are heard on issues important to Boeing, our people and our customers."

Before joining Boeing, Keating was senior vice president of global government relations at Honeywell International. He was also chairman of the board and managing partner at Washington lobbying firm Timmons and Co.

Earlier in his career, Keating served the Clinton Administration as special assistant to the president and staff director for White House Legislative Affairs, Boeing said.

(Andrew McIntosh - Puget Sound Business Journal)