Joint Partnership Produces V-22 Tiltrotor

Aero-News learned this week Gene Cunningham has been appointed vice president and deputy director for the Bell Boeing Program Office in Amarillo, TX. He replaces Mike Anderson, who is retiring after a distinguished career with Boeing.

As its name suggests, the Bell Boeing Program Office is a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company to produce all variants of the V-22 Osprey tilrotor aircraft. In his new position, Cunningham will be responsible for management and coordination of the program office and all aspects of Bell and Boeing MV-22 and CV-22 production, delivery and support.

"Mike Anderson deserves enormous credit for the success of the V-22 program and we wish him well in his retirement," said Bob Kenney, vice president and director, Bell Boeing Program Office. "We're delighted that Gene Cunningham will be joining the V-22 program. Gene brings a broad range of experience in all areas of aerospace technology to the Bell Boeing Program Office."

Most recently, Cunningham served as vice president of Business Development for Boeing's Rotorcraft Systems in Philadelphia. After joining Boeing in 1979, he worked as an aerodynamics stability and control engineer on commercial and military programs.

Representatives with Bell Boeing tell ANN Cunningham has broad program management experience, including assignments as director for International Programs of the AH-64 helicopter in Mesa, AZ; program manager for the Finland F-18 fighter aircraft in St. Louis, MO; deputy program manager, Finland F-18; and vice president for McDonnell Douglas Finland OY in Helsinki.

Cunningham has also led the Army Systems and European Regional Business Development teams and held assignments as the representative to the USAF C-17 Transport Program Office in Dayton, OH; the representative for USAF transport, tanker, and trainer programs in Washington, DC, and the representative for international military programs in Washington, DC

Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University and an Executive Master's degree in International Business from Saint Louis University. He also has attended the US Defense Systems Management College and the Defense Institute for Security Assistance Management.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/index.com