Rockwell Collins CEO elected chairman

CEDAR RAPIDS - Rockwell Collins on Wednesday announced that Kelly Ortberg, president and CEO since July 2013, has been elected chairman of the board.

Ortberg succeeds Anthony Carbone, who will continue on the board and serve as lead director, a position he previously held.

Ortberg was appointed president of Rockwell Collins in September 2012 and was elected CEO in July 2013. Carbone was appointed non-executive chairman of the board in August 2014 and has been a director of Rockwell Collins since June 2001.

Under Ortberg's leadership, the avionics, communications and information management company successfully completed the acquisition of ARINC, won a number of key commercial and government programs and effectively managed through the challenges of sequestration.

During Ortberg's tenure. Rockwell Collins also returned to growth after several years of challenging markets.

'This appointment reflects the confidence the board of directors has in Kelly, and the respect he has earned through his leadership as CEO and president of Rockwell Collins,” Carbone said in a news release.

Ortberg's predecessor, Clay Jones, also served as president, CEO and chairman before his retirement on July 31, 2014.

Before he was elected president of Rockwell Collins, Ortberg was executive vice president and chief operating officer over the defense side of the company's business, Rockwell Collins Government Systems.