Carson steps down, IDS's Albaugh to lead Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Beset by continuing problems with the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson announced that he will retire from the company at year end.

He will be succeeded effective today by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh. A Boeing spokesperson said Carson will help with the transition and work on special projects during his remaining time with the company.

"The decision to retire was Scott's," Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney said during a conference call with reporters. In a statement, he praised Carson's "long record of accomplishment across many disciplines, functions and businesses, and the enduring contributions he has made to Boeing through 38 years of service."

Carson, 63, was named CEO in September 2006, succeeding Alan Mulally, who left to become CEO of Ford Motor Co. Carson previously had been credited with rejuvenating Boeing's sales efforts after he was named BCA's VP-sales in December 2004 following the loss to Airbus of a number of key sales campaigns.

He inherited a troubled 787 program, although it was not clear he realized the seriousness of the problems at the time. Less than a year after taking over, he presided over the company's global premiere of the Dreamliner on July 8, 2007, but then had to announce a series of extensive and embarrassing program glitches, the most recent of which occurred just days after he had all but guaranteed the aircraft would fly before the end of June. Last week, Boeing announced that the 787 is expected to fly "by the end of 2009" (ATWOnline, Aug. 28).

Carson's tenure also saw the manufacturer's other major development program, the 747-8, experience delays and cost overruns and a cool market reception for the passenger version. But he presided over a period of record aircraft ordering activity as well and steered the company through a lengthy strike by its assembly line workers. Prior to being named VP-sales, he headed the company's Connexion by Boeing broadband connectivity unit. He also served as executive VP and CFO of BCA.

Albaugh has led Boeing's defense, space and associated services businesses since 2002. He began his career with Rockwell's aerospace and defense businesses, which Boeing acquired in 1996. Succeeding him at IDS is Dennis Muilenburg, 45. who previously was president of IDS's Global Services & Support unit.