Boeing promotes John Wojick to VP of sales, expand Oregon plant
Boeing has named John Wojick its vice president of sales for Commercial Airplanes, filling the role Ray Conner held before replacing Jim Albaugh as president of the planemaking unit in June.
Wojick was previously vice president of North America sales. The company said the 32-year Boeing veteran began his career as an aerospace engineer and has held assignments ranging from flight operations engineering to internal audit, as well as handling sales to regions including Latin America and India.
“John’s experience working with customers worldwide and his ability to align Boeing resources in support of their needs are critical in today’s competitive environment,” Conner said in a message to Boeing employees Friday.
Thursday brought more details on the expansion of Boeing’s Oregon factory complex in Gresham.
Statesmanjournal details that Boeing invested more than $100 million in the 64,000-square-foot plant, which opened Friday with tours and speeches by company managers. Already the aircraft manufacturer has added 350 workers since breaking ground two years ago on the new space.
“This provides us a modern chemical processing facility that’s going to support our site for large products for a very long time in the future,” said Don Hendrickson, Boeing Portland chief financial officer. “You don’t make this investment if you’re going to keep work here for a couple of years.”
Last month, with Wojick just six months into his position as head of North American sales, United announced during the Farnborough Air Show a big order for 150 Boeing jets — including 100 of the forthcoming 737 MAX jet family.
Toby Bright, a former head of sales at Boeing, said that made Wojick the clear choice for his new position.
“When I heard that United deal come in at the Air Show, I felt that would be the final push to propel John into the job,” said Bright.