Boeing names new Government Operations Chief WASHINGTON Reuters - Boeing Co named a former senior Ford Motor Company and Softbank Executive as its head of government affairs as the company continues to deal with the spillout from two fatal 737 MAX crashes.
The airline confirmed Ziad Ojakli, who also served as an aide to the former U.S. President George W. Bush, will be Boeing's executive vice president of government operations effective on 1 October. Reuters reported on Thursday the planned announcement.
Boeing announced in June its longtime government affairs chief Tim Keating was abruptly leaving without giving a reason.
Ojakli will lead Boeing's public policy efforts, serve as Chief Lobbyist and oversee Boeing Global Engagement, the company's global philanthropic organization.
His broad experience in government and private sector will contribute to our engagement with our stakeholders as we continue our focus on safety, quality and transparency, and transforming our company for the future, Boeing Chief Execuive Dave Calhoun said in a statement.
Boeing faces significant scrutiny from the FAA and U.S. lawmakers, but is allowed to do so in future. In January, Boeing was charged with a conspiracy by the Justice Department with the 737 MAX - fraud conspiracy and agreed to a delayed prosecution agreement and settlement worth more than $2.5 billion.
Earlier this month, a Delaware judge ruled that Boeing's board of directors must face a lawsuit from shareholders over the MAX crashes that led to the plane's 20 - month grounding and cost some $20 billion.
In May, two key U.S. lawmakers sought records from Boeing and the FAA on production issues regarding the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner. Boeing has stopped deliveries of the 787 aircraft as it works to resolve quality problems.
Ojakli served as the management partner and senior vice president of Softbank from 2018 - 20 where he launched its first global government affairs operation after spending 14 years at Ford, the second largest US automaker.