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Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has helped pull the company out of one of its worst crises. After just one year in charge, the 65-year-old has stabilized the business following a 737 MAX door plug blowout in early 2024 that sparked global concern.

Now, new hurdles are on the horizon. Ortberg came out of retirement in Florida to take the job after the company's reputation and finances took a major hit.

He quickly made changes, starting with safety and trust. "It's just one day at a time," Ortberg said.

"Improve our performance, address the issues we have, restore trust, and build confidence."

Since then, Boeing's stock has jumped 39%, 737 MAX production is picking up, and agreements with the US Department of Justice and major airlines have boosted its momentum, Reuters said.

Ortberg also signed a major contract for a new fighter jet, the F-47, and moved back to Seattle to be close to Boeing's factories.

Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci praised Ortberg for showing up where it matters. "They're walking the floor, they're feeling what's going on. That's different to what happened in the past," he said.

Boeing CEO Pushes Quality Over Speed in Jet Production

Ortberg also launched a culture shift. "Give a damn!" became a new core value, and he started focusing on fixing how jets are built, not just how fast they're delivered.

Former co-worker Jans Timmers summed up Ortberg's style best: "Put all the [problems] on the table and let's deal with it."

Still, Boeing isn't out of trouble. The company lost $643 million in the first half of 2025 and faces delays in getting its new jets, including the 777X, MAX 7, and MAX 10, certified.

Worker strikes have disrupted production, and the defense division is still underperforming.

Ortberg is also navigating a tough political environment, including trade talks and a very public clash with former President Donald Trump, BusinessInsider said.

In May, the two reunited to celebrate Boeing securing its largest wide-body aircraft order to date with Qatar Airways.

Experts say Ortberg has brought real change, but the road ahead is long. "The biggest risk for Boeing looking forward is do they become great again or just stay mediocre?" said Bank of America analyst Ron Epstein.

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