Boeing taps Doug Ackerman to review certification processes

Boeing has given longtime executive Doug Ackerman a new role covering an assessment of its certification processes and preparation for its next generation of aircraft. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg announced the appointment in a 30 September email to employees, in which he said Ackerman becomes vice-president of corporate initiatives.

Ackerman will assist Ortberg with corporate initiatives spanning the whole business. His first assignment will examine how Boeing's certification system works across the company and what is needed to strengthen it. The work covers processes, governance, training, management structure and behaviours, with the aim of identifying root causes of inefficiencies and setting out a better path. Ortberg said the company wants to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.

The role also involves helping shape what Ortberg described as a future-state certification model intended to support current work and the products Boeing will build later.

Ackerman has been Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice-president of quality since November 2024 and has worked at the company for more than 30 years. He will report to Ortberg and work with chief aerospace safety officer Don Ruhmann, chief engineer Howard McKenzie, and Boeing's Organization Designation Authorization department, which carries out certification work on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration, along with other industry leaders and regulators.