Boeing CEO Muilenburg stripped of power role

Carolyn Adolph

October 11, 2019 / 4:39 pm

caption: Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg speaks during a news conference after the company's annual shareholders meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago, on Monday, April 29, 2019.

Dennis Muilenburg's leadership of Boeing has faced intense scrutiny over the 737 MAX. Now he's being stripped of his role as chairman of the board.

It's a move to separate the power of the board from that of the chief executive. Dennis Muilenburg has been running Boeing and leading the board that oversees his own management.

Not anymore.

Longtime director David Calhoun will now hold the job of board chairman. The board will soon name a new director with safety experience, Boeing said.

Muilenburg, who will continue as chief executive, has orders to focus on running the company and returning the MAX to service.

"I am fully supportive of the board's action. Our entire team is laser-focused on returning the 737 MAX safely to service and delivering on the full breadth of our company's commitments," said Muilenburg in a statement put out by Boeing.