Spirit AeroSystems Names Fitzgerald, Shanahan to Board of Directors

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) today announced that William A. Fitzgerald and Patrick M. Shanahan have been named to the company’s Board of Directors, effective November 12. Fitzgerald will serve on the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. Shanahan will serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees.

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William A. Fitzgerald (Photo: Business Wire)

Both Fitzgerald and Shanahan have decades of executive leadership experience in the aerospace industry.

Fitzgerald joins Spirit’s Board with a broad understanding of commercial aviation, including extensive experience working with airlines around the world on their aftermarket requirements.

Fitzgerald retired in 2021 as Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Engine Operations for GE Aviation. He was responsible for all commercial jet engine products and global support. Other assignments for Fitzgerald at GE included Vice President and General Manager of the GEnx product line, which was the fastest selling jet engine in GE’s history and powered the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 aircraft. Previously, he was Vice President and General Manager of Assembly, Test and Overhaul, working to bring manufacturing and services sites together into a single organization to share best practices and processes. Fitzgerald started his career at GE in 1983.

Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Boston University.

Shanahan’s background spans both commercial and military programs following a 31-year career with Boeing, and as a former Deputy Secretary of Defense and Acting Secretary of Defense.

Shanahan was appointed in 2017 as the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense, the second-highest ranking civilian position at the Pentagon. He served as Acting Secretary of Defense from January 2019 to June 2019.

Shanahan retired from The Boeing Company in 2017 as Senior Vice President of Supply Chain & Operations and a member of the Boeing Executive Council. Shanahan served in Boeing’s defense business as Vice President and General Manager of Missile Defense Systems, and Vice President and General Manager of Rotorcraft Systems, with oversight of the Apache, Chinook and Osprey programs. In Boeing’s commercial business, Shanahan’s roles included Vice President and General Manager of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program, and Senior Vice President of Airplane Programs. He started his Boeing career in 1986.

Shanahan earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

“Bill Fitzgerald and Pat Shanahan bring deep knowledge of the aerospace and defense markets that will benefit Spirit as we grow across our commercial, defense and space, and aftermarket segments,” said Spirit AeroSystems Board Chair Robert Johnson. “Bill and Pat have relationships and experience working with commercial, defense, and government customers that will enhance Spirit’s strategy to grow as a stronger, more diversified company. We are excited to have Bill and Pat join our Board.”

On the web: www.spiritaero.com

On Twitter: @SpiritAero

About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company’s core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. We are leveraging decades of design and manufacturing expertise to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of military aerostructures, and specialty high-temperature materials, enabling warfighters to execute complex, critical missions. Spirit also serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

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