Kelly Ortberg Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Net Worth, Boeing CEO, Education, Career, Wife, Family

Naijaplaybaze August 2, 2024

Kelly Ortberg Biography

Kelly Ortberg is an American business executive known for his leadership in the aerospace and defense industry. He was recently appointed as the CEO of Boeing, a prominent aerospace company. Prior to this role, Kelly Ortberg served as the CEO of Rockwell Collins, a major avionics and information technology systems company, from 2013 until its acquisition by United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in 2018.

After the acquisition, Ortberg became the CEO of Collins Aerospace, a UTC subsidiary formed by merging Rockwell Collins with UTC Aerospace Systems. His leadership focused on advancing aerospace technologies and integrating operations to enhance efficiency and innovation. Ortberg retired in 2021, having played a significant role in shaping the aerospace sector.

Kelly Ortberg Age

Kelly Ortberg was born on January 3, 1960, which makes him 64 years old as of 2024.

Kelly Ortberg Educational Background

Kelly Ortberg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa.

Kelly Ortberg Career

Kelly Ortberg is a prominent figure in the aerospace and defense industry, known for his significant contributions and leadership. Over his career, Ortberg has played a crucial role in transforming Rockwell Collins and subsequently Collins Aerospace into leading players in their fields. Let’s explore his career journey in detail:

Early Career and Engineering Foundation

Kelly Ortberg began his career with a strong technical foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa. His initial roles were heavily focused on engineering, where he worked on developing and enhancing avionics systems. Joining Rockwell Collins in 1987, Ortberg quickly gained recognition for his technical acumen and ability to drive innovation. He started in various engineering roles, where he worked on some of the most advanced avionics systems of the time, helping to improve their performance and reliability.

Rising Through the Ranks

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Ortberg’s career trajectory at Rockwell Collins was marked by a series of promotions into increasingly senior positions. His ability to manage large teams and drive product development initiatives led to his appointment as Vice President of Government Systems in 2006. In this role, Ortberg was responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of avionics and communication systems to military clients.

CEO of Rockwell Collins

In 2013, Kelly Ortberg was appointed CEO of Rockwell Collins, succeeding Clay Jones. His tenure as CEO marked a period of transformation and growth for the company. Ortberg focused on expanding the company’s global footprint and diversifying its product offerings. Under his leadership, Rockwell Collins embarked on several strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of ARINC in 2013, which broadened the company’s capabilities in aviation information management.

Strategic Acquisitions and Growth

One of Ortberg’s key strategies as CEO was to drive growth through strategic acquisitions. By acquiring companies that complemented Rockwell Collins’ existing product lines, Ortberg was able to offer a more comprehensive range of solutions to customers. The acquisition of ARINC, a leader in communications and information processing, was particularly significant, allowing Rockwell Collins to expand into the aviation network services market.

Formation of Collins Aerospace

In 2018, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired Rockwell Collins for $30 billion, one of the largest deals in the aerospace industry’s history. Following the acquisition, Rockwell Collins was merged with UTC Aerospace Systems to form Collins Aerospace. Ortberg was appointed CEO of Collins Aerospace, tasked with leading the integration of these two major entities. His focus was on streamlining operations, leveraging synergies between the two companies, and driving innovation.

Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions

Ortberg’s journey continued as Collins Aerospace merged with Raytheon in 2020, creating the RTX Corporation. His adaptability and strategic acumen were evident during these complex transitions.

Retirement from RTX

After a successful career at RTX, Ortberg retired in 2021. His contributions to the aerospace industry were widely recognized, and he left a lasting legacy.

Boeing Leadership

Ortberg’s expertise caught the attention of Boeing, a global aerospace giant. He was appointed as the incoming president and CEO, set to assume the role on August 8, 2024. His leadership would be crucial as Boeing navigated challenges and regained public trust.

Kelly Ortberg Family

Kelly Ortberg is married to Valerie Dee Heitman. The couple tied the knot on August 13, 1983. They have two daughters.

Kelly Ortberg Net Worth and Income

As of 2024, Kelly Ortberg’s estimated net worth is around $29 million. His wealth primarily stems from his extensive career in the aerospace industry, particularly his roles at Rockwell Collins and Collins Aerospace. Ortberg holds significant stock in companies such as RTX Corporation, with about 135,922 shares valued at approximately $16 million, and shares in Rockwell Collins worth about $13 million.

In addition to his stock holdings, Ortberg has earned substantial income through executive positions. As an Independent Director at Aptiv PLC, his compensation includes a base salary of $265,022 (Wallmine) (Wallmine). His financial activities include trading shares, such as the sale of 10,295 RTX shares in April 2024, which generated over $1 million.

FAQs

Who is Kelly Ortberg?

Kelly Ortberg is a prominent figure in the aerospace and defense industry, known for his roles as CEO of Rockwell Collins and later Collins Aerospace, a unit of United Technologies Corporation (now RTX Corporation).

What roles has Kelly Ortberg held in his career?

He has served as CEO of Rockwell Collins, CEO of Collins Aerospace, and a special advisor to the CEO of Raytheon Technologies. He has also been involved in various executive roles at Rockwell Collins.

What are some of Kelly Ortberg’s significant achievements?

Ortberg led Rockwell Collins through major acquisitions, including B/E Aerospace and ARINC, and helped integrate Rockwell Collins with UTC Aerospace Systems to form Collins Aerospace.

What is Kelly Ortberg’s role in Aptiv PLC?

Ortberg joined the board of directors of Aptiv PLC in 2018, contributing his expertise in business transformation and technology.

What is Kelly Ortberg’s current involvement in aerospace?

After retiring as CEO of Collins Aerospace, he served as a special advisor at Raytheon Technologies and remains active on boards and councils, including Aptiv and FIRST.