Boeing names Carson as plane sales chief

Boeing Co on Friday named Scott Carson as its new head of commercial airplane sales, replacing Toby Bright. The move follows a run of costly sales losses to Europe's Airbus. Carson, 58, was previously president of Boeing's Connexion unit, which sells high-speed in-flight Internet services. He will report to Boeing's commercial airplanes Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally.
Carson's appointment would "strengthen and improve our global sales effectiveness," said Boeing Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher, in a statement.
Carson replaces Bright, 51, who took up the job as head of sales in July 2001. Bright will be taking new responsibilities in Boeing's commercial airplanes unit, Boeing said, without elaboration. Boeing representatives were not immediately available for further comment.
In the past year Boeing has fallen short of targets for orders of its new flagship plane and struggled to compete with European rival Airbus on some contracts.