Linda Hapgood is the Chief Operating Officer for Initium, a start-up company for two aerospace industry leaders- Boeing and Safran - which will design, manufacture and service auxiliary engines (APUs-Auxiliary Power Units) for the commercial aircraft market. Currently, Initium is based in San Diego, California. In this role, Ms. Hapgood is responsible for the operational aspects of launching a new company, including Supply Chain operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, and the design and build of a new factory for APU assembly and production, which will be based in the United States.
Previously, she was the Chief Engineer for Airplane Systems for the 767 and 747 Airplane Programs in Everett, Washington where she led step change innovations to the Boeing manufacturing floor such as the first use of augmented reality glasses for Boeing electricians installing complex wiring in the aircraft fuselage. In her 20 year Boeing career, she has brought to every role she has had a passion for people and technology, bringing teams together from diverse disciplines and empowering them to problem solve the tough challenges, and innovate the next great idea to connect, protect and inspire the world. She has a bachelor of engineering degree in Aerospace Avionics from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. In 2011 she earned a master of business degree in Technology Management from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. She is also a US Patent holder for her work in Methods & Systems for Managing (Airplane) Computer System Configuration Data. In 2014 she was named as one of Aviation Week Magazine’s “Top 40 Under Forty” rising stars in the Aerospace and Defense Industry.