Seattle, Washington-based OEM Boeing has appointed Don Ruhman as the company’s new chief aerospace safety officer.
The role will see Mr Ruhman strengthen Boeing’s safety culture and safety practices as well as accelerating and maturing Boeing’s Safety Management System (SMS).
Mike Delaney has held the role since its creation in 2021 but recently announced his retirement after nearly 40 years with Boeing.
The chief aerospace safety officer reports directly to Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg and is part of the company’s Executive Council.
“Over the past several years, we’ve made important strides to strengthen our safety practices, safety culture and actions to implement SMS at Boeing,” said Ortberg. “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.”
Mr Ruhman was vice president of Airplane Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes where he led design and certification work for the newest members of the 737 MAX family and the new 777-9. He joined Boeing in 1989 and has held several senior leadership positions, including Engineering roles on the 777 and 787 programs and in Commercial Aviation Services, which is now part of Boeing Global Services.
