Boeing

Boeing today announced a series of Communications leadership assignments designed to strengthen the function and ensure the continued development of future leaders. These decisions follow an announcement last week that the company's top Communications official, Vice President Judith Muhlberg, was added to the Boeing Executive Council.

In explaining the personnel changes, Muhlberg said, "The leadership assignments and promotions we're making place communications strength and experience where we need it, continue the development of people we expect to fill leadership roles well into the future, and accommodate career and personal decisions made recently by key members of the Communications team."

The assignments and promotions detailed below are effective June 1.

Larry McCracken, 59, is promoted to vice president of Communications for Military Aircraft and Missile Systems, based in St. Louis. Currently vice president of public relations at Boeing's Chicago World Headquarters, he will fill the position held previously by Vice President Doug Kennett. Kennett, 56, is joining the public affairs staff at Boeing's Washington, D.C. Operations.

Further personnel announcements, including the overall leadership of communications in the Washington Office, are expected at a later date.

Tom Downey, 38, is promoted to vice president of Communications for Commercial Airplanes, located in Seattle. He is currently vice president of Internal and Executive Communications at World Headquarters in Chicago. Downey will assume his new communications leadership role from Vice President Donna Mikov who will begin a medical leave later this month before returning to another company assignment.

Mary Foerster, 56, is promoted to vice president of Communications for Space and Communications, Seal Beach, Calif. She has led communications at the business unit since August 2001.

Muhlberg also named two promotions to vice president.

Jo Anne Davis, 47, will join the World Headquarters team as vice president of Internal and Executive Communications, replacing Downey. Davis currently serves as director of Strategic and International Communications at Military Aircraft and Missile Systems. She joined the company in 1992.

John Dern, 41, is promoted to vice president of Public Relations, replacing McCracken. Dern currently serves as director of media relations at the company's World Headquarters. He joined the company in 1990.

"Jo Anne and John are both talented Boeing communicators who bring tremendous energy and insight into their new positions," said Muhlberg. "We'll be relying on them to continue building world-class communications programs for the company."

C1915a