Aerospace

Boeing Strengthens European Team with New EU, NATO and Government Affairs Leadership

Boeing is expanding its European presence to pursue new growth opportunities with two new Brussels-based leaders.

Boeing is expanding its European presence to pursue new growth opportunities with two new Brussels-based leaders. Liam Benham has been named the new president of Boeing EU,NATO and Government Affairs Europe and will be joined by Kristen Richmond as the new managing director for EU Policy.

Benham will head Boeing’s Brussels office and report into Boeing International president Sir Michael Arthur. Reporting to Benham in addition to Richmond, are the managing directors for Boeing Southern Europe, Angela Natale, and Boeing France, Jean Marc Fron.

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Benham and Richmond will work closely with Boeing teams across Europe to lead the company’s efforts in support of key EU policies that strengthen transatlantic ties, advance Europe’s economy, promote sustainable growth, contribute to a safe, innovative and competitive aviation system, and connect EU citizens and businesses.

Benham brings to the new role nearly three decades of experience in senior roles across Europe and the Asia-Pacific Prior to joining Boeing, he served as IBM’s Vice President Government and Regulatory Affairs in Europe and has held senior government relations positions at the Ford Motor Company, where he focused on key regions of interest, including Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa.

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Richmond previously served in various key strategic and executive positions across Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Boeing International, Boeing Capital Corporation, as well as at Microsoft, the American Heart Association and the U.S. Senate, where she started her policy career as legislative aide in Washington, D.C.

The new leaders succeed Kim Stollar who led the Boeing EU Policy and NATO team though four challenging years that included the COVID pandemic. During this period, she elevated Boeing’s presence with local institutions, partner organizations, suppliers, associations and academia. Stollar is now back in the United States as managing director, Commercial Contracts for Boeing Global Services.

Boeing is a key part of Europe’s aerospace community, contributing to and benefiting from the region’s tradition of innovation and excellence. The region is now led by three presidents, Liam Benham for EU, NATO and Government Affairs for Europe, Maria Laine for UK, Ireland & the Nordic region, and Dr. Michael Haidinger for Germany, Northern and Eastern Europe.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.