Defence Events

Boeing reorganises its Defense, Space & Security unit

Posted 21 November 2022

Boeing has announced a series of executive leadership changes and reorganisations aimed at accelerating operational discipline, first-time quality and performance, whilst streamlining senior leadership roles and responsibilities.

Above: Boeing's global headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, where the Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) unit is based.
Courtesy Boeing

Effective immediately, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) will consolidate its eight divisions into four, including:

Vertical Lift, led by Vice President and General Manager Mark Cherry.
Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers, led by Vice President and General Manager Dan Gillian, which will include KC-46, SAOC, E-7, VC-25B, P-8, Bombers, AWACS/AEW&C, 777X components and all executive transport programmes.
Air Dominance, led by Vice President and General Manager Steve Nordlund, which will include classified programmes; the F/A-18, F-15, T-7, MQ-25 and MQ-28 programmes; and the non-space Phantom Works portfolio, including the Virtual Warfare Centers. Steve will also become the senior site executive for the St. Louis region.
Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems, led by Vice President and General Manager Kay Sears, which will include space exploration and launch programs, satellites, munitions, missiles, weapon system deterrents, maritime undersea, Phantom Works Space and subsidiaries (BI&A, Millennium, Insitu, Liquid Robotics, Spectrolab, Argon and DRT). Between now and 4th February 2023, Jim Chilton, senior vice president for Space and Launch, will continue to manage space exploration and launch programmes, satellites and Phantom Works Space. On 5th February 2023, Chilton will become a senior advisor to Ted Colbert, president and chief executive officer of BDS, focusing on future space ventures.

These changes build upon a consolidation of Manufacturing & Safety, Total Quality, Supply Chain and Programme Management and the appointment of Steve Parker as BDS chief operating officer.

"I am confident this reorganisation will drive greater and more simplified integration and collaboration across Boeing Defense, Space & Security," said Colbert. "These changes will help accelerate operational discipline and programme quality and performance, while stabilising our development and production programmes. These are necessary steps to put BDS on the path to stronger, profitable growth."

Additionally, Tim Peters, currently vice president and general manager of Mobility and Surveillance and Cindy Gruensfelder, currently vice president and general manager of Missile and Weapon Systems, will be retiring after assisting with the transitions.

"Over the past three decades, Tim and Cindy have played an integral role in delivering critical capabilities for our customers and developing top talent across the enterprise," Colbert said. "The Boeing Executive Council and I are grateful for their leadership and years of service."

Coinciding with these changes, Boeing Global Services (BGS) will integrate all government services – domestic and international – into one organisation, led by Torbjorn (Turbo) Sjogren, vice president and general manager of BGS Government Services.

Boeing UK Suppliers event
Earlier this month, Boeing hosted an event in Los Angeles, California, in partnership with the UK's trade association ADS, Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Department for International Trade and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to highlight space and defence opportunities for UK suppliers.

Over 30 UK suppliers, including small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) were able to connect with Boeing operations and supply chain executives to explore potential opportunities for future collaboration.

The visit built on Boeing’s announcement during this year’s Farnborough Airshow recommitting to its agreement with the UK Government to support growth and prosperity by exploring opportunities across supply chain, defence exports, capability development, skills and diversity, sustainability and innovation.

“Our recently renewed agreement with the UK Government builds on a successful, 80-year partnership where we now support 3,000 jobs and spend £2 billion in the supply chain annually”, said Maria Laine, Boeing’s president of UK, Ireland & the Nordic Region. “Events like these are a vital opportunity to match some of the UK’s most innovative suppliers with the vast range of Boeing opportunities in aerospace and defence and underlines our commitment to the UK and its supply chain over the long term.”

ADS Chief Executive, Kevin Craven said: “UK defence and space suppliers offer world-leading technology and innovations delivering vital exports worth an estimated £14 billion a year and providing more than 190,000 highly skilled jobs across both sectors.

“ADS is delighted to be able to provide our members with access to events run jointly with the Ministry of Defence, wider Government departments and industry leaders like Boeing, offering opportunities to grow and succeed and for our members to form long-term strategic partnerships.”