Boeing has named John Wojick its vice president of sales for Commercial Airplanes, filling the role Ray Conner held before replacing Jim Albaugh as president of the planemaking unit in June.

Wojick was previously vice president of North America sales. The company said the 32-year Boeing veteran began his career as an aerospace engineer and has held assignments ranging from flight operations engineering to internal audit, as well as handling sales to regions including Latin America and India.

"John's experience working with customers worldwide and his ability to align Boeing resources in support of their needs are critical in today's competitive environment," Conner said in a message to Boeing employees Friday.

Wojick started out in sales as the director responsible for the Continental Airlines account. When he was promoted to head sales first in Latin America and then in the Asia Pacific region, he retained that account at the request of Continental's management.

That close customer connection served him well when Continental merged with United and its management team took control of the combined airline.

Last month, with Wojick just six months into his position as head of North American sales, United announced during the Farnborough Air Show a big order for 150 Boeing jets — including 100 of the forthcoming 737 MAX jet family.

Toby Bright, a former head of sales at Boeing, said that made Wojick the clear choice for his new position.

"When I heard that United deal come in at the Air Show, I felt that would be the final push to propel John into the job," said Bright.

Along with Wojick's appointment, the company announced a string of other changes in Commercial Airplanes management as Conner took the opportunity to shuffle the organizational structure.

Among those changes, the vice president who acted as the main liaison with state and local government in Washington, Laura Peterson, is moving into a newly created position leading China business development.

Conner's message to employees said Peterson will work closely with Boeing's team in China to help advance strategic partnerships with Chinese government agencies, suppliers and other key stakeholders.

Peterson's replacement as head of State and Local Government Operations here has not been named.