Boeing names Jeff Shockey as new top lobbyist

Boeing Thursday named Jeff Shockey as its new top lobbyist, as the U.S. planemaker faces a number of issues in Washington including criticism from President Donald Trump over delayed deliveries of new Air Force One jets. Shockey returns to Boeing after the firm's last head of government affairs left abruptly in December. He previously headed global government relations at aerospace and defense firm RTX, formerly known as Raytheon, and before that was vice president of global sales and marketing for Boeing Defense, Space & Security as well as a senior Boeing lobbyist and former U.S. House aide. Boeing is dealing with the risk of potential new tariffs impacting airplane production and exports as well as scrutiny over its quality and manufacturing after a 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. On Wednesday, Trump said he was not happy with Boeing for significant delays delivering next-generation Air Force One planes and warned he might pursue a new option. Boeing has lost more than $2b on its contract to deliver two new presidential aircraft. Trump raised the issue of the delayed planes in a call with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg soon after he was elected in November.<br/>