Boeing names Shanahan to Lead 787 Dreamliner Program

Boeing has appointed Pat Shanahan as vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. Shanahan moves from vice president, Missile Defense Systems at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and succeeds Mike Bair, who will become vice president Business Strategy and Marketing for Commercial Airplanes, replacing Mike Cave, who has moved to a position at Boeing Corporate Offices.

The move marks a return to Commercial Airplanes for Shanahan, who has led both the 757 and 767-400ER programs. He moved to IDS in 2002, first to lead Boeing's Rotorcraft division, operated from the company's Philadelphia and Mesa sites, before taking over leadership of Boeing's missile defense programs - including the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System (GMD) - in 2004.

Boeing is the prime contractor on the GMD, leading a team of top aerospace companies that have successfully developed, tested and deployed a highly innovative and technically complex system for defending against ballistic missile attacks. The latest test of the system - the technical challenges of which are often described as "hitting a bullet with a bullet" - occurred September 28, when the Boeing-led GMD system was able to track, intercept and destroy a ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean.

Bair has been responsible for all aspects of the 787 program since its launch in 2004. The 787 - which will provide airlines with improved fuel efficiency, environmental performance and passenger comfort - has recorded 710 orders from 50 airlines from around the world.

Previously, Bair served as vice president and general manager for Commercial Aviation Services, where he was credited with successfully restructuring the services business for improved competitiveness and performance.

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