Boeing Defense moving executive shop to DC

Next month, senior leaders and staff with Boeing Defense will move their headquarters from St. Louis to Washington, D.C., according to a spokesman.

The move will initially involve only about a dozen people, spokesman Todd Blecher said, adding that the company's 14,000 employees will remain in St. Louis.

"Over time, as some of those people bring their staffers, the number of people could grow to around 50," Blecher said.

The move had been in discussions for months, Blecher said, and reflects the hands-on approach of Leanne Caret, who was named president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security in February.

"It's really a reflection of how Leanne manages her organization," he said. "She really emphasizes personal engagement with our customers, people on Capitol Hill and in the administration."