Robert “Kelly” Ortberg could become the Caitlin Clark of aerospace leaders if he is able to successfully navigate the turnaround of beleaguered Boeing, an iconic aerospace and defense company which has been plagued by safety, financial and management issues.
He became CEO of Boeing on Aug. 8.
Mr. Ortberg is a Dubuque native and graduate of the University of Iowa. He was CEO of Rockwell Collins when it was acquired by United Technologies in 2018, marking one of the most consequential business moves in the Corridor in the past 20 years.
Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems, recently reported a $1.4 billion net loss in the second quarter. It also pleaded guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after the U.S. found the company violated a deal meant to reform it following two fatal crashes by its 737 Max planes which killed 346 passengers and crew.
The Department of Justice said the plane-maker had also agreed to pay a criminal fine of $243.6 million.
“One person cannot turn around a company, but Kelly should be able to cast a wider net for talent than a Boeing insider could,” Bank of America aerospace analyst Ron Epstein said, according to CNBC. “Also, we note that Rockwell Collins fostered a strong culture, something that we think Boeing is in dire need of now.”
Mr. Ortberg’s hiring could elevate some of the ancillary associations around him, including the Corridor’s rich aviation history, the state of Iowa, and the University of Iowa, much like Ms. Clark has done during her stratospheric rise as a basketball star. Adding another Fortune 500 CEO to the list of UI graduates can also only help with UI marketing efforts.
We are rooting for Mr. Ortberg to have success at Boeing.
Mount Mercy University’s bold move
The decision is final. Cedar Rapids’ Mount Mercy University entered into a “strategic combination” agreement with Davenport’s St. Ambrose University on Thursday, Aug. 1. The agreement will place Mount Mercy under the leadership of St. Ambrose after a transitional period of two years, both effectively becoming one institution.
“We will continue to have a distinct Mount Mercy campus experience here with academic programs on this campus, offerings on this campus, and perhaps expanded sets of graduate offerings, expanded opportunities and co-curricular areas,” St. Ambrose President Amy Novak said, adding that both campuses will retain their respective mascots and “probably” continue competing in athletics.
In an industry that hasn’t seen much innovation, this unique agreement is unquestionably bold, and a particularly selfless act by Mount Mercy’s leadership. It remains to be seen how it will ultimately impact the two institutions as well as the city of Cedar Rapids.
We are hopeful that together, those two institutions will become stronger and be able to continue to educate students for decades to come.
