Boeing

Boeing appointed Mike Kennedy to the newly created position of vice president for the Boeing Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) and Delta IV programs Wednesday.

Kennedy previously was the vice president for Delta III and demonstrated his ability to manage launch vehicle development effectively by bringing Delta III on line for its first launch this summer.

"Mike has done an outstanding job since joining the Delta III program in 1996," said Gale Schluter, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems vice president and general manager. "He brought the vehicle through development, testing and initial production on time -- meeting our customers' requirements. He is now in a position to bring his skills to our EELV and Delta IV programs, ensuring their success."

Boeing also promoted Dan Collins to program director for Delta III and Jay Witzling to vice president, Delta II and Titan programs. Collins will complete Delta III development and, along with Witzling, develop a plan to integrate the Delta II and Delta III production programs.

Kennedy, who joined the company in 1970, has held positions of increasing responsibility on programs such as Skylab, Saturn SIVB, Titan, Delta, Spacehab and the International Space Station. Collins joined the company in 1990 and the Delta III team in 1996. Prior to that he worked on the International Space Station.

Witzling has been with the company since 1972. He has worked on the Spartan, Delta and Space Station programs in positions of increasing responsibility. In 1996 he was promoted to director of Delta II and Titan programs.