Kevin McAllister is to take over as Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding vice chairman, Ray Conner.

Conner will continue as Boeing vice chairman through 2017, working closely with McAllister on the hand-off of customer, supplier, and community and government relationships. The 61-year old has been president and CEO of Commercial Airplanes since 2012 and has worked at the company for 39 years, starting as a Boeing 727 program mechanic.

Boeing chairman, president and CEO, Dennis Muilenburg says: “We are immensely grateful to Ray for his leadership and contributions to Boeing over nearly four decades, and we will continue to rely on his vast experience and keen insights in supporting the leadership and business transitions underway.

McAllister joins Boeing after 27 years with GE Aviation. Muilenburg says: “He’s a passionate leader with decades of commercial aviation knowledge and experience. He knows Boeing well, shares our values and commitment to our people, and has the results-oriented operational and business experience needed to lead this vital and growing part of our company.”