Boeing

Boeing Commercial Airplane Group has named Richard H. Pearson vice president and general manager of the Douglas Products Division, formerly known as Douglas Aircraft Company. The Douglas Products Division will report to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group (BCAG) and will be managed as part of the new Boeing Company.

In his new role, Pearson, who has spent the past seven months leading the BCAG Merger Transition Team, will be responsible for managing Douglas' operations worldwide. He will report to Robert L. Dryden, executive vice president -- Airplane Production.

"Through his work on the transition team, Dick has gained an appreciation for the talented, hard-working people at Douglas," said BCAG President Ron Woodard. "His insights into the people and processes at Boeing and Douglas make him uniquely qualified to help us achieve a single focus and commitment to building, delivering and servicing the best commercial jetliners in the world."

Having received approvals from the Federal Trade Commission and the European Union, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas will combine operations beginning Monday, August 4.

Pearson replaces Walter J. Orlowski, who is relocating to Seattle to accept a new assignment as vice president -- Strategic and Product Planning for Define Engineering. Orlowski will be responsible for Airplane Safety, Airplane Configuration/Performance, and Industry and Government Affairs organizations. He will report to Harry Arnold, executive vice president -- Airplane Development and Definition.

During his 30-year Boeing career, Pearson has held a variety of positions including vice president of Contracts for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, vice president of North and Latin American Sales and director of African Sales.

Pearson joined Boeing in 1967 as an industrial engineer in the Everett Division Materiel organization and in 1968 became a buyer for 747 Purchased Equipment. He was named regional director in the Commercial Airplane Contracts organization in 1973, followed by the positions of director of Negotiation Support in 1980 and area director of Domestic Contracts in 1981.

A native of Seattle, Pearson holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Washington. He and his wife, Linda, have two children. The couple support several local charities and organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the University of Washington Alumni Association.