Il Nuovo Postiglione - Boeing shareholders back outgoing CEO pay deal despite safety woes

The company announced the preliminary vote results at its annual meeting, saying all 11 directors had been reelected and that shareholders backed Calhoun's planned $33 million compensation package.

Advisory services firm Glass Lewis had urged shareholders to reject Calhoun's nomination, while Investor Shareholder Services (ISS) had recommended a "no" vote on Calhoun's compensation package.

The meeting comes on the heels of a number of crises facing the storied planemaker.

Boeing has faced serious questions following a near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines flight in January that necessitated an emergency landing of a 737 MAX after a panel on the fuselage blew out mid-air.

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice said Boeing had breached a 2021 criminal settlement over two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, opening the company up to possible prosecution.

In communications to investors ahead of the annual meeting, Boeing emphasized its aggressive response to the Alaska Airlines incident that included a leadership shakeup announced in late March.

On March 25, Boeing said that Calhoun would step down at the end of 2024. The company also named former Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf as the new chairman who will oversee the executive search.

"The months and years ahead are critically important for our company as we take the necessary steps to regain the trust lost in recent times to get back on track and perform like the company we all know Boeing can and must be," said Mollenkopf at the outset of the meeting.

Boeing did not disclose a specific vote breakdown at Friday's meeting. Final results must be filed with US securities officials within the next days.

- Sending a message -

Glass Lewis had argued that shareholders should use the annual meeting to send a message to Boeing.

"We have significant concerns regarding the board's oversight of the Company's safety culture and attempts to overhaul it," said a report that urged investors to vote against the reelection of Calhoun, and Akhil Johri and David Joyce, who chair the audit and aerospace safety committees respectively.

ISS meanwhile had urged a no vote on Calhoun's executive pay package.

Under the plan, Calhoun received a base salary of $1.4 million, plus more than $30 million coming in stock awards. Calhoun declined a potential $2.8 million bonus in light of the Alaska Airlines accident, the company said in a securities filing.

In setting Calhoun's package, Boeing alluded to earlier crises he navigated as CEO, including winning regulatory approval to return the 737 MAX to the skies after two fatal crashes and the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"While the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident shows that Boeing has much work yet to do, the Board believes that Mr. Calhoun has responded to this event in the right way," Boeing said in the filing.

Boeing said the boost was "designed to focus our leadership team at a pivotal moment in our Company's recovery," including enabling Boeing to meet its long-term financial targets.

ISS dismissed the argument as "not particularly compelling... especially given two other recent increases since Calhoun became CEO in 2020."

After Friday's meeting, Calhoun will face a full plate of issues, including a late May deadline to present a plan required by the Federal Aviation Administration, which has capped MAX production until the company shows progress on safety and quality control.

In July, the Justice Department will make a final determination on whether to criminally prosecute Boeing.

Then in September, the company faces a potential strike of 30,000 workers if it is unable to reach a contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

Q.Bernardi--INP