Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Rockwell Collins (COL) has a new CEO.
On Thursday, the aviation electronics specialist announced it has given company President Kelly Ortberg the additional title of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ortberg replaces Clay Jones, who has stepped down from the CEO's post to become simply non-executive Chairman of the Board. Jones retired from the CEO's job after nearly 34 years with the company.
Ortberg is a 26-year veteran of Rockwell Collins, but has been President less than a year, having taken the job last September. In a statement, the company noted his involvement in multiple successful programs over the past few years, including helping to get Rockwell Collins electronics into military planes such as the KC-10, KC-390, and KC-46A, as well as the civilian Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries.
Praising Ortberg's record, lead independent director Anthony Carbone hailed his "strong record of success, passion to win and extensive knowledge of our customers and business," and said these attributes "make him the ideal choice to lead Rockwell Collins into the future."
