McArtor to replace O'Keefe

Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus Americas, will replace Sean O'Keefe as chairman and chief executive officer of Airbus Group Inc., the company's North American business unit, when O'Keefe resigns March 1, 2014. In his new capacity, McArtor will be a member of the Airbus Group Executive Committee, the company's top decision-making body. O'Keefe elected to step down in order to fully address ongoing medical issues due to injuries he sustained in a 2010 aircraft accident in Alaska. However, he will continue with the company on special assignment to oversee and facilitate the compliant transition of the company’s ongoing security agreement with the Department of Defense to the new U.S. Group structure. The company, best known for its commercial jets, recently changed its name to Airbus Group from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., EADS. The new Airbus Group will feature divisions called Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters. Airbus will focus on commercial aircraft and Airbus Defense and Space will integrate its Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military businesses. Airbus Helicopters is a direct name change from Eurocopter. (Source: Airbus Group, 01/07/13) Previous McArtor. Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building an A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala., at Brookley Aeroplex, where it also has an engineering center. It also has an operation at Mobile Regional Airport; American Eurocopter has an assembly facility in Columbus, Miss.