Boeing Korea announces new president

By Park Jin-hai

Eric John

Eric John, a long-time U.S. career diplomat, has been named to head Boeing Korea.

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer’s Korean office announced Wednesday that its new president will join the company on May 30 and begin his work as early as June.

John will succeed Pat Gaines, who retires in September after serving 27 years with Boeing. John is known to many as a specialist on Korea.

He served three tours here after he joined the Foreign Service in 1983. Most recently he worked as the minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. He also served as the deputy director of Korean affairs in Washington, D.C.

“Eric brings valuable experience from the public sector and international government operations, and will help further expand our presence and collaboration with Korean customers, partners, communities and employees,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International and senior vice president of business development and strategy in a recent interview.

John, a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, holds a master's degree in national security studies from the National War College. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and speaks Korean and Vietnamese.

Before joining Boeing, John was senior advisor for security negotiations and agreements in the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Previously he worked as the foreign policy advisor to the chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force as well as U.S. ambassador to Thailand.

Korea is one of the top 10 international markets for Boeing’s commercial and defense business. More than 200 Boeing employees work across the country.