Stephen E. Biegun Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy | Boeing
Boeing has appointed Don Ruhmann as its new Chief Aerospace Safety Officer, effective immediately. Ruhmann will focus on enhancing Boeing's safety culture and practices, advancing the Safety Management System (SMS) across the company, and collaborating with the industry to strengthen aviation safety.
The role of Chief Aerospace Safety Officer was established in 2021 to oversee Boeing's Global Aerospace Safety program. This program includes Product & Services Safety, Aerospace Safety Analytics, and the Global Aviation Safety System. By uniting these teams under one leader, Boeing aims to promote safety throughout its operations and ensure accountability within the safety ecosystem.
Ruhmann takes over from Mike Delaney, who is retiring after nearly 40 years at Boeing. Delaney will continue in an advisory capacity during the transition period. Ruhmann will report directly to Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg and will join the company's Executive Council.
Kelly Ortberg stated, "Over the past several years, we’ve made important strides to strengthen our safety practices, safety culture and actions to implement SMS at Boeing. Don’s experience with airplane design, certification and strong relationships with global regulators makes him perfectly suited to lead and build on those efforts at Boeing and across the industry."
Before this appointment, Ruhmann served as vice president of Airplane Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He led design and certification work for recent models such as the 737 MAX family and the new 777-9. Since joining Boeing in 1989, he has held various senior leadership roles in Engineering for programs like the 777 and 787, as well as in Commercial Aviation Services.