Executive Biography of Stephen (Steve) Parker
Stephen (Steve) Parker
Chief Operating Officer and
Interim President and CEO Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Steve Parker is the interim president and chief executive officer, and chief operating officer, of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, which provides solutions for defense, government, space, intelligence and security customers worldwide. Beyond the United States, Defense, Space & Security has prominent operations in Australia, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Over his 36 years of service with Boeing, Parker has developed deep global expertise in manufacturing, program management and technical leadership through the execution of large complex businesses, programs and operations ranging from the manufacture, modernization and certification of aircraft and weapon systems, through to the development and fielding of networks and advanced systems.
As chief operating officer, he is responsible for day-to-day business operations and leads an integrated organization that includes Total Quality, Manufacturing & Safety, Global Supply Chain & Integration, Lean, Business Transformation, Government Security and Program Management – all focused on ensuring Boeing meets or exceeds customer commitments.
Prior to his current role, Parker led the Bombers & Fighters division within Boeing Defense, Space & Security that included tactical and air dominance fighters to include the F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-15E/EX, the T-7A training system and strategic Bombers comprising the B-1, B-52 and – in collaboration with Northrop Grumman – the B-2. In addition to being responsible for more than 15,000 employees at the St. Louis site as senior executive, he also oversaw the design and manufacture of composite flight controls and the innovative folding wingtip for Boeing’s new 777X passenger airplane.
Before that, Parker led the Vertical Lift division, which develops and manufactures cargo, tiltrotor and attack rotorcraft, including the AH-6 Little Bird, AH-64 Apache, H-47 Chinook, MH-139A Grey Wolf and V-22 Osprey. Before that, as vice president & program manager, he led numerous strategic programs to include the T-7A Advanced Pilot Training program, the F-15 Eagle, and the H-47 Chinook where he supported the U.S. Army and Special Operations Command.
Other roles have included managing daily activities for the company’s largest subsidiary outside of the United States, as chief operating officer of Boeing Defence Australia; serving as vice president and general manager of the former Network and Space Systems division, leading the rapid acquisition of Australia’s C-17 fleet, and providing executive and program management support to the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control program.
He is a member of the Air Force Association, the Army Aviation Association of America, the Tailhook Association and the Executive Committee of the Chair’s Council at Greater St. Louis Inc., an organization of the top business leaders in St. Louis, Missouri who are working to improve the community and business life of the region. Parker earned a master’s degree in project management from Queensland University of Technology and is a Certified Practicing Project Director.