Patrick J. Finneran, Jr.
Vice President
Program Management and Business Excellence
Integrated Defense Systems
Patrick Finneran is vice president of Program Management and Business Excellence for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. In this position, Finneran leads companywide efforts designed to achieve peak performance
His responsibilities include developing and deploying program management best practices, providing training and development for program managers, performing independent assessments of IDS programs, and participating in proposal reviews to ensure strong start-up plans for new programs. In addition, Finneran is responsible for the IDS implementation of Lean+, Boeing's approach to continuous improvement, as well as knowledge management, import/export control, process management and performance measurement. Finneran also co-leads the IDS Compliance Assessment Team, which takes a collaborative, integrated approach to managing ethics issues and meeting compliance goals across the enterprise.
Most recently, Finneran served as vice president of Operations & Supplier Management for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems as well as St. Louis site manager, responsible for the day-to-day St. Louis operations. Prior to this assignment, Finneran was president of Support Systems, the Integrated Defense Systems business unit that offers a complete spectrum of defense services, providing integrated, focused logistics and services for warfighters
He previously served as vice president and general manager of Logistics Support Systems for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, where he was responsible for overall management of the organization, and developing and implementing innovative, integrated support programs for a wide variety of Boeing and non-Boeing aerospace platforms around the world. Prior to that assignment, Finneran was vice president and general manager of Naval Aircraft Programs for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, responsible for the F/A-18, AV-8, T-45, P-8A and V-22 programs. Additionally, he was responsible for supporting the CH-46 and E-6A programs. Prior to this assignment, he served as vice president and general manager for the F/A-18 program.
Finneran, who joined the company in 1987, has led every military aircraft program in St. Louis. He was named vice president and general manager of the Harrier program in 1992. In this capacity, he led the program to its first multiyear procurement; managed the tri-national development program for the Harrier II Plus; and established a remanufacture program that rebuilds older Harriers into a Harrier II Plus aircraft with full service life.
His next assignment was to consolidate the AV-8, T-45, F-15 and St. Louis C-17 programs into a Production Aircraft group. The result of the team's innovative plan was substantial reductions in cost and increased productivity.
Finneran then served as vice president and general manager of Market Development. Following that he was assigned in 1997 to lead F/A-18 programs. During this time, the Super Hornet team successfully transitioned the F/A-18E/F from development through operational evaluation into production and the fielding of the first Super Hornet squadron. As a result, the Super Hornet program was awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy for the most significant accomplishment in aeronautics and astronautics for 1999.
Finneran holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree from East Carolina University. He is a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. He is an honor graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Basic School, U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, and a graduate of the National War College. In 2004 he was awarded the Navy League's prestigious Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Award for major contributions to America's Maritime Strength & National Security. He was also recognized as an Outstanding Missourian by a unanimous resolution of the Missouri State House of Representatives for his contributions to the State and St. Louis community. In 2006, the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation honored him with its Most Distinguished American award. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award of the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Finneran is the chairman of the Advisory Council for Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Notre Dame. He is also a member of the continuing education council in the Mendoza School of Business there. He is a trustee of the St. Louis Symphony, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and the Marine Corps University Foundation. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Finneran served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the company, and is a Vietnam combat veteran. He served in a variety of operational deployments and staff positions including a special assignment as the military aide to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Honorable Donald J. Regan, from November 1980 through the 1981 inauguration. He retired after 20 years of active duty in 1987 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
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