737 Biography
Ben Funston
Ben Funston has served on the 787 Global Partners team in several capacities since the program started. He worked on the team that created the new sourcing and partner model for the program, led the wing Global Partners team and is now leading the Final Assembly and Delivery Global Partners team.
"Working in Final Assembly at this point in the program is absolutely amazing," he said. "Every day we are making a difference in getting the first airplane ready to fly. It takes decisiveness and commitment, and I see that in everyone I work with."
Earlier in his 17-year Boeing career, Funston was part of the team of procurement agents who worked with the suppliers providing the flaps, elevators and wing ribs for the 737. During a one-year assignment away from the 787 program in 2005, Funston focused on determining and securing the capacity needed in the aluminum raw material supply chain to ensure there was enough volume to support the requirements for the 737 and other Boeing Commercial Airplanes programs.
Reflecting on his 787 assignment, Funston said, "There is a real sense of being part of something great, something that was almost too hard to achieve, and something that took courage to dare to try. The general public may never understand just how ambitious this program was and is and how much sacrifice, hard work and genius went into making this airplane. Only the Boeing team could pull off such a challenge, and it is a tribute to all of the talented and committed people. I am in awe of what Boeing and its partners have accomplished and am proud to have been part of the journey from the beginning."