Boeing Names Caret As Defence, Space & Security President And CEO

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (BERNAMA) -- The Boeing board of directors has elected Leanne Caret as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company's Defence, Space & Security business effective March 1. She will succeed Chris Chadwick, who has announced his retirement from the company, Boeing said in a statement Thursday. Caret, 49, a 28-year company veteran, currently leads that unit's Global Services & Support business, which has about 13,000 employees in 295 locations around the world. With US$9 billion in revenue, it is the US Department of Defence's largest performance-based logistics contractor, and an industry leader in providing sustainment services for a diverse range of military products and systems. "Leanne has a track record of delivering results, an intense customer focus, and the global acumen necessary to build on the existing strength of our defence, space and security business and grow it for the future," said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO, Dennis Muilenburg. "She also is an experienced and inspirational leader who understands all aspects of our business, operates with a One Boeing perspective and has the trust and respect of our employees and external stakeholders," he added. Chadwick, 55, retires this spring after a 34-year career that included a range of senior executive roles. He led the US$30-billion Defence, Space & Security unit since December 2013, after previously leading its Military Aircraft business, which is home to the organisation's tactical aircraft, rotorcraft, and weapons programmes, among others. "We thank Chris for the dedication and commitment to Boeing that underpinned the extensive contributions he made to this company throughout his career. "His leadership and strategic focus during a challenging time in our markets has prepared us to move forward with confidence and improved competitiveness," Muilenburg said It said Ed Dolanski, 48, will succeed Caret as president of Global Services and Support. Dolanski is currently president and chief executive officer of Boeing subsidiary, Aviall, the largest provider of new aviation parts and aftermarket supply-chain management services for the aerospace and defence industries. In addition to becoming CEO of the Defence, Space & Security organisation, Caret also becomes a Boeing executive vice president and joins the company's executive council. Her Boeing career began in 1988. Before leading the services and support organisation she was chief financial officer for the defence, space and security unit and, before that, vice president and general manager of its rotorcraft programmes. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wichita State University. Caret also earned certifications from Harvard University in the Programme for Leadership Development and the International Security Defence Programme, and completed the Integral Leadership Programme at the University of Notre Dame. Boeing Defence, Space and Security is a diversified, global organisation providing leading solutions for the design, production, modification and support of military fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, weapons, and satellite systems, among others. The business has concentrated operations at its St. Louis headquarters and multiple sites across the US. Top locations outside the country includes Australia, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. -- BERNAMA