Boeing CEO – Dennis Muilenburg (Age – 61)

⚠️ Note: Dennis Muilenburg served as CEO of Boeing from 2015 to 2019. The current CEO is Kelly Ortberg (since August 2024).

The Boeing Company, the world’s largest aerospace manufacturer and a pillar of American industry, was founded in 1916 by William Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Dennis Muilenburg served as Boeing’s Chairman, President, and CEO from July 2015 until his firing in December 2019, following the two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX that killed 346 people. A lifelong Boeing employee who joined as an intern in 1985, Muilenburg rose through three decades of engineering and leadership roles before reaching the top job. His tenure saw record revenues and order backlogs but ended in the worst crisis in Boeing’s 100-year history. He departed with approximately $80.7 million in accumulated pay and benefits but received no severance. Since leaving Boeing, Muilenburg co-founded New Vista Capital, a private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense investments.

Read on to discover Dennis Muilenburg’s net worth in 2026, his Boeing CEO salary and compensation, career history, wife & family, the 737 MAX crisis, and more.
Dennis Muilenburg Boeing CEO
Dennis Muilenburg, former Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company • Photo: Boeing

Dennis Muilenburg – Quick Facts

Dennis Muilenburg — At a Glance
Full Name Dennis A. Muilenburg
Position Former Chairman, President & CEO (2015–2019)
Company The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA)
Age 61–62 years (born 1964)
Birthplace Orange City, Iowa, USA
Education B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University; M.S. Aeronautics & Astronautics, University of Washington
Net Worth (Est. 2026) $60–100 Million
Peak Compensation (FY2018) $23.4 Million
CEO Tenure July 2015 – December 23, 2019
Current Role Co-Founder & CEO, New Vista Capital
Departure Package ~$80.7M (no severance; pension + vested stock)
Twitter/X @BoeingCEO (inactive since departure)

Boeing Competitors

The Boeing Company operates in the global aerospace and defense industry, competing across commercial aviation, military systems, and space. The key competitors of Boeing include:

  • Airbus SE – Boeing’s primary rival in commercial aviation; together they control over 90% of the global large aircraft market
  • Lockheed Martin – leading defense contractor and competitor in military aircraft and space systems (Lockheed Martin CEO)
  • Northrop Grumman – major defense and space systems competitor (B-21 Raider bomber)
  • RTX Corporation (Raytheon Technologies) – aerospace systems and defense electronics (RTX CEO)
  • General Dynamics – defense conglomerate competing in combat systems and aerospace (General Dynamics CEO)
  • Embraer – Brazilian manufacturer competing in regional and military aircraft
  • COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) – emerging competitor with the C919 narrow-body jet
  • SpaceX – competitor in space launch services and satellite systems

Dennis Muilenburg Net Worth 2026 – Boeing CEO Salary

As of 2026, Dennis Muilenburg’s net worth is estimated at $60–100 million, based on his accumulated Boeing compensation, pension benefits, vested stock, and post-Boeing investment activities. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth at approximately $100 million, while SEC insider filings show at least $37 million in disclosed stock holdings across multiple companies. When Muilenburg departed Boeing in December 2019, he walked away with approximately $80.7 million in total pay and benefits, including pension, previously vested stock, and stock options — though he received no severance payment and forfeited unvested 2019 stock awards worth about $14.6 million.

Boeing CEO Compensation Breakdown (FY2018 – Peak Year)

Component Amount (USD) Share
Base Salary $1,700,000 7.3%
Performance Bonus (Incentive) $13,100,000 56.0%
Stock Awards $7,300,000 31.2%
Pension & Other Compensation $1,284,921 5.5%
TOTAL $23,384,921 100%
Key Insight: Muilenburg’s FY2018 compensation of $23.4 million was 184 times the median Boeing employee’s pay of $126,991. Including exercised stock options from prior years, he actually pocketed approximately $30 million in 2018. His FY2017 total compensation was $18.5 million. For 2019, Muilenburg voluntarily forfeited his bonus and equity grants after the 737 MAX crashes, receiving only his base salary before being fired in December.

Boeing Net Worth 2026 – Is Boeing Profitable?

Boeing has faced enormous financial challenges since the 737 MAX grounding in 2019. The company posted massive losses from 2019 through 2024, driven by the MAX crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, production quality issues, and a costly machinist strike in late 2024. However, under new CEO Kelly Ortberg (appointed August 2024), Boeing has begun a turnaround, returning to profitability in fiscal year 2025.

Boeing Financial Summary (FY2025)

Metric Value YoY Change
Market Capitalization ~$180B
Annual Revenue (FY2025) $89.5B ▲ 34.5%
Annual Revenue (FY2024) $66.5B ▼ 14.5%
Net Income (FY2025) $1.9B ▲ Return to Profit
Net Income (FY2024) -$11.8B ▼ Loss
Employees (2025) ~170,000
Stock Price (Feb 2026) ~$233
NYSE Ticker BA
Financial Context: During Muilenburg’s tenure (2015–2019), Boeing achieved record revenues exceeding $100 billion in FY2018. However, the 737 MAX crisis that led to his firing triggered over $30 billion in cumulative losses for Boeing from 2019 to 2024. Under new CEO Kelly Ortberg, Boeing returned to profitability in FY2025 with $1.9 billion in net income on $89.5 billion in revenue.

Boeing CEO Email Address | Dennis Muilenburg Contact

Below are the contact details and social media profiles associated with Dennis Muilenburg during his time as Boeing CEO, as well as his current business contact:

Contact Information
Boeing Email (Former) [email protected] (no longer active)
Twitter/X @BoeingCEO (inactive since Dec 2019)
LinkedIn Dennis Muilenburg
Current Company New Vista Capital (Co-Founder & CEO)
Boeing Corporate HQ 929 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
Boeing Media Inquiries [email protected]

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

Dennis Muilenburg’s entire corporate career was spent at Boeing, spanning 34 years from intern to Chairman and CEO. A trained aerospace engineer, he rose through increasingly senior engineering and program management roles before leading the company’s defense division and ultimately the entire corporation.

Dennis Muilenburg Career Timeline

Period Role Company
1985–2000 Intern, then various engineering & program management roles (F-22, Airborne Laser, Condor, HSCT) Boeing (Puget Sound, WA)
2000s Director, Weapon Systems; VP of Programs & Engineering, Air Traffic Management Boeing
~2004–2008 VP & General Manager, Boeing Combat Systems; Program Manager, Future Combat Systems Boeing Defense
~2008–2009 President, Global Services & Support (BDS) Boeing Defense, Space & Security
2009–2013 President & CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security Boeing
Dec 2013–Jul 2015 Vice Chairman, President & COO The Boeing Company
Jul 2015–Dec 2019 Chairman, President & CEO The Boeing Company
2021–Present Co-Founder & CEO New Vista Capital

Muilenburg joined Boeing as an intern in 1985 after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in aerospace engineering. He spent his first 15 years in the Puget Sound region working on some of Boeing’s most important programs, including the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, the Airborne Laser missile defense system, the Condor reconnaissance aircraft, and the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) program.

He then moved into defense leadership, becoming VP and General Manager of the Boeing Combat Systems division and Program Manager for the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. In September 2009, he was appointed President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, overseeing one of the world’s largest defense businesses.

In December 2013, Muilenburg became Boeing’s President and COO, and in July 2015 he succeeded Jim McNerney as CEO. In March 2016, he was also named Chairman of the Board, making him one of the most powerful executives in American industry. His leadership ended on December 23, 2019, when Boeing’s board fired him over his handling of the 737 MAX crisis.

Following his departure from Boeing, Muilenburg co-founded New Vista Capital, a private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense investments. He also serves as an advisor at Cultivation Capital and has been involved in various board and advisory roles in the aerospace sector.

Education

University Degree / Program Website
Iowa State University, College of Engineering Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering engineering.iastate.edu
University of Washington, College of Engineering Master of Science in Aeronautics & Astronautics aa.washington.edu
Iowa State University Honorary Doctor of Science (2018) iastate.edu
Iowa State University Campanile
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa — where Dennis Muilenburg earned his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Dennis Muilenburg Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More

Dennis Muilenburg (age 61–62, born 1964) grew up on a family farm near Sioux Center, Iowa, in the rural northwest corner of the state. He graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1982, becoming the first Iowa native to serve as Boeing’s CEO. He is known for his small-town roots and engineering-first leadership style.

Muilenburg married Rebecca Kickert-Muilenburg (born May 24, 1965), a licensed veterinarian who studied at Iowa State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rebecca obtained her veterinary license in 1990 in Illinois, though she is reported to be currently inactive in practice. The couple has two children — a son and a daughter. Muilenburg has spoken publicly about encouraging his daughter to pursue STEM fields, which influenced his advocacy for women in engineering and science careers.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

  • National Academy of Engineering – Elected member in 2018 for leadership in defense, space, security, and commercial aircraft
  • FIRST Robotics – Served on the Board of Directors, promoting STEM education for students
  • Horatio Alger Association – Member, recognizing his rise from a farm in Iowa to leading one of the world’s largest corporations
  • Iowa State University – Received an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2018
  • Boeing Record Revenue – Under his leadership, Boeing achieved record revenue of $101 billion in FY2018
  • Business Roundtable – Active member during CEO tenure, shaping U.S. business policy

The 737 MAX Crisis

Muilenburg’s legacy is inextricably linked to the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. On October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. Just five months later, on March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Addis Ababa, killing all 157 occupants. Both crashes were attributed to a flawed automated flight control system called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).

The 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March 2019. Muilenburg was stripped of his Chairman title in October 2019 after Boeing’s board lost confidence in his crisis management. He was fired on December 23, 2019. Dave Calhoun was named his successor in January 2020.

About The Boeing Company

The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace corporation headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Founded in 1916 by William Boeing, it is one of the largest global aerospace manufacturers and defense contractors. Boeing operates through three major business segments:

Segment Focus Key Products
Commercial Airplanes Commercial aviation 737, 767, 777, 787 Dreamliner
Defense, Space & Security Military & government F/A-18, KC-46, AH-64 Apache, SLS
Global Services Aftermarket support Parts, training, modifications, analytics

Boeing trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BA. With approximately 170,000 employees worldwide, Boeing is one of the largest U.S. exporters and a cornerstone of the American aerospace industry. The company is currently led by CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed in August 2024 to lead Boeing’s recovery from years of safety and financial crises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is Dennis Muilenburg?

Dennis A. Muilenburg is an American aerospace engineer and business executive who served as Chairman, President, and CEO of The Boeing Company from July 2015 to December 2019. He was fired following two fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX that killed a combined 346 people. Born in 1964 on a farm near Sioux Center, Iowa, Muilenburg spent his entire 34-year corporate career at Boeing before his departure. He currently serves as Co-Founder and CEO of New Vista Capital, a private equity firm focused on aerospace and defense.

What is Dennis Muilenburg’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, Dennis Muilenburg’s net worth is estimated at $60–100 million. When he was fired from Boeing in December 2019, he walked away with approximately $80.7 million in accumulated pay, pension benefits, and vested stock, though he received no severance payment. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth at approximately $100 million.

What was Dennis Muilenburg’s salary as Boeing CEO?

In his peak compensation year (FY2018), Dennis Muilenburg received total compensation of approximately $23.4 million, including a $1.7 million base salary, $13.1 million in incentive bonuses, $7.3 million in stock awards, and $1.3 million in other compensation. Including exercised stock options, he actually received about $30 million that year. For FY2019, he voluntarily forfeited his bonus after the 737 MAX crashes.

Why was Dennis Muilenburg fired from Boeing?

Dennis Muilenburg was fired on December 23, 2019, following the two fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX — Lion Air Flight 610 (October 2018, 189 killed) and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (March 2019, 157 killed). The Boeing Board lost confidence in Muilenburg’s ability to manage the crisis and restore the 737 MAX to service. He was criticized for downplaying the severity of the MCAS system flaw and for failing to ground the aircraft after the first crash.

Who is the current CEO of Boeing?

The current CEO of Boeing is Kelly Ortberg, who was appointed in August 2024. After Muilenburg’s firing, Dave Calhoun served as CEO from January 2020 to August 2024. Ortberg, a longtime aerospace executive and former CEO of Collins Aerospace parent Rockwell Collins, was brought in to lead Boeing’s operational and cultural turnaround. (Read about Dave Calhoun)

What is Dennis Muilenburg doing now?

Since leaving Boeing, Dennis Muilenburg co-founded New Vista Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in aerospace and defense companies. He serves as the firm’s Chairman and CEO. He is also an advisor at Cultivation Capital and maintains involvement in the aerospace industry through various board and advisory positions.

Article last updated:March 2026March 2, 2026

Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, Congressional testimony, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.