Boeing defense unit announces leadership shifts, reorganization

Arlington-based Boeing Co. Thursday announced a series of top leadership changes and a reorganization to consolidate its eight divisions within the Boeing Defense, Space and Security unit into four.

Boeing said the changes, effective immediately, are aimed at accelerating its operational discipline, quality and performance and at streamlining senior leadership roles and responsibilities.

According to a news release, there are four new divisions within BDS:

• Vertical Lift will be led by Vice President and General Manager Mark Cherry.
• Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers will be led by Vice President and General Manager Dan Gillian. The division includes the KC-46, SAOC, E-7, VC-25B, P-8, Bombers, AWACS/AEW&C, 777X components and executive transport programs.
• Air Dominance will be led by Vice President and General Manager Steve Nordlund. The division includes classified programs, the F/A-18, F-15, T-7, MQ-25 and MQ-28 programs and the nonspace portfolio of BDS’ advances prototype arm, Phantom Works, including it Virtual Warfare Centers. Nordlund will also become the senior site executive for the St. Louis region.
• Space, Intelligence and Weapon Systems, led by Vice President and General Manager Kay Sears. The division includes space exploration and launch programs, satellites, munitions, missiles, weapon system deterrents, maritime undersea, Phantom Works Space and several subsidiaries, including Boeing Intelligence and Analytics. Jim Chilton, senior vice president for space and launch programs, will continue to manage those programs, as well as satellites and Phantom Works Space, until Feb. 4, 2023, after which point he will become a senior adviser focusing on space ventures to Boeing Defense, Space and Security President and CEO Ted Colbert.

“I am confident this reorganization will drive greater and more simplified integration and collaboration across Boeing Defense, Space and Security,” Colbert said in a statement. “These changes will help accelerate operational discipline and program quality and performance, while stabilizing our development and production programs. These are necessary steps to put BDS on the path to stronger, profitable growth.”

BDS’ previous eight divisions were Autonomous Systems; Space and Launch; Vertical Lift; Bombers and Fighters; Missiles and Weapons; Mobility and Surveillance; Phantom Works; and International Government and Defense.

In October, Reuters reported that BDS appointed Steve Parker chief operating officer in an effort to shore up money-losing defense programs as the company deals with delays and cost overruns on fixed-price contracts. Parker previously led BDS’ bombers and fighters division, and oversaw its 15,000 employees in St. Louis as a senior executive. He is now responsible for manufacturing and safety, total quality, supply chain and program management functions for BDS, Boeing spokesperson Paul Lewis told Virginia Business in an email.

In addition to the consolidations, Tim Peters, vice president and general manager of mobility and surveillance, and Cindy Gruensfelder, vice president and general manager of missile and weapon systems, will retire after assisting with transitions.

As part of the announcement, Plano, Texas-based Boeing Global Services, which provides aviation parts and engineering to commercial, defense and space customers, will integrate its domestic and international government services into one organization led by Torbjorn “Turbo” Sjogren, vice president and general manager of BGS’ government services, the company said.

BDS, based in Arlington, employs about 15,000 people in 15 countries and 48 states and its revenue in 2021 was $26.5 billion. It is one of three Boeing business units. In May, the company announced it was moving its corporate headquarters to Arlington, from its previous home in Chicago.