Elizabeth Lund, who has served as Boeing's senior vice president of Quality for its commercial airplanes since February, has announced her retirement effective December 2024. Lund, a 33-year veteran at Boeing, was appointed to this critical role following a significant incident involving a mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January. This incident highlighted the need for stringent quality control within Boeing's commercial aviation sector. Lund has been instrumental in developing and implementing Boeing's safety and quality improvement plans, stepping into the spotlight to address the company's quality management system after the crisis.
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Her tenure saw Boeing facing both internal and external scrutiny over its production processes. In June, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that Boeing had violated investigation protocols by sharing non-public information with the media and speculating on incident causes. This led to Boeing being barred from further information from the NTSB's probe. Under Lund's leadership, Boeing has been working to regain the trust of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the public, especially after the FAA decided to cap 737 MAX production rates due to quality concerns. Despite these efforts, criticisms have persisted, with an FAA audit uncovering 97 instances of noncompliance in Boeing's manufacturing process, parts handling, and product control, illustrating the magnitude of Lund's challenge.
Her retirement comes at a pivotal moment when Boeing is attempting to ramp up production again following disruptions caused by a workers' strike earlier in the year. The company has been under pressure to not only resume but also to streamline its production while ensuring no compromise on safety and quality. Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, acknowledged Lund's contributions, thanking her for her leadership during a challenging year.
Lund will be succeeded by Doug Ackerman, currently the vice president of supply chain and fabrication quality at Boeing. Ackerman brings a wealth of experience from his long career at Boeing, having worked in various capacities, including supply chain strategy and engineering roles. Lund's retirement marks the end of an era for Boeing's quality assurance, leaving the company at a juncture where it must continue its recovery and improvement efforts under new leadership. The transition will be crucial as Boeing strives to uphold its commitment to safety, quality, and integrity amidst ongoing regulatory and market pressures.