Ed Clark, the executive leading Boeing (NYSE:BA)'s 737 MAX program, has stepped down, Reuters reported Wednesday after obtaining a company memo.
The move comes amid a challenging period for the planemaker, which faces increased scrutiny from regulators, customers, and legislators regarding its production and safety standards following the Jan. 5 incident where a panel detached from a new Alaska Airlines MAX 9 in mid-flight.
According to Reuters, Clark's exit follows a recent meeting of Boeing's board. He was responsible for the company's Renton, Washington, manufacturing site, where the aircraft in question was assembled.
Katie Ringgold will take over Clark's duties as the new vice president and general manager, as revealed in the memo distributed by Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Deal said the company was striving to ensure "that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements.”
“Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less,” he said.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is scheduled to meet with Mike Whitaker, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), next week. This meeting is set after Whitaker's visit to the Renton facility to inspect the 737 manufacturing plant firsthand.
The FAA’s chief "will discuss what he observed during his visit to Boeing with the company’s executives when they come to Washington to discuss" the planemaker’s emphasis on quality control and other issues, the regulator said.
Boeing’s shares fell roughly 1% on Wednesday.