Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney has created a new senior business development and strategy position, and has appointed one of the company's current executives to fill it. Shephard W. Hill, who had served as Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) vice president for business development, moves to the new corporate position--senior vice president for business development and strategy--in Chicago, effective immediately.
Hill, 53, will report to McNerney and join the Boeing Executive Council. He will be responsible for analyzing and developing plans to drive the company's growth and nurturing developing businesses. He will oversee the company's Corporate Development function, which includes responsibility for directing M&A activities within the company, including acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, equity investments and joint ventures.
"As we focus on the company's long-term growth, we need a leader who is focused solely on our forward-looking efforts," McNerney said. "Shep will be responsible for shaping the company's growth by ensuring that we approach it as a disciplined process that is fully integrated with our overall strategic direction. He has the experience, customer insight and leadership qualities necessary to position the company strategically as we look to the future."
In his role at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in St. Louis, Hill has been responsible for development, integration and implementation of IDS customer and business strategies.
Previously, he had served as vice president, government relations, for Boeing defense and space businesses--a position that included responsibility for managing and directing marketing, legislative affairs, trade, and media relations activities in the Washington, D.C., area. He also had served as a vice president for Boeing Space Systems.
Hill joined Boeing when the company acquired Rockwell's Aerospace and Defense business in 1996. At that time, Hill was Rockwell's vice president for aerospace government affairs and marketing.
Prior to joining Rockwell in 1987, Hill had served as chief of staff and legislative director to U.S. Rep. Bill Chappell (D-Fla.) from 1980 to 1987.
He completed the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1989. In addition, he is a 1984 graduate of the Naval War College and received a B.A. from Stetson University in 1975.