Ed Clark, executive in charge of the Boeing 737 Max production program, was removed on Wednesday, the company said in an email to employees.

Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing’s commercial plane unit, wrote in a company memo that Clark would be leaving the company after nearly 18 years, according to a copy obtained by CBS News. Clark will be replaced by Katie Ringgold, former vice president of 737 delivery operations, effective immediately, Deal said.

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