Boeing Co. said that Ted Colbert — its head of defense, space and security — would leave the company on Friday, as the beleaguered aviation giant’s new chief executive aims for big changes following a string of safety concerns and a deep slump in its financials.

Ending a strike involving more than 30,000 of Boeing's Seattle-area workers is "a top priority" for the aviation giant, chief executive Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff Friday."Ending the strike is a top priority,