Som Leaving Spokane Gm Post For Malaysia Position

As if a strike wasn’t enough.

The Boeing Co.’s plant in the West Plains of Spokane County has much more to deal with since its general manager, Thomas Som, left Wednesday for a post in Malaysia.

The announcement came just as more than 50 SPEEA union members were preparing to walk off their jobs at the Airway Heights facility Wednesday.

While Som knew he was being considered as general manager of the company’s overseas composite parts plant, “It was a total shock to the rest of us,” said Tim Stevens, who was named interim general manager at Spokane.

Som came to Boeing Spokane in 1990 when the plant opened. He was promoted to general manager in 1996 at the age of 44 and oversaw more than 500 employees manufacturing air ducts, floor panels and flight deck components.

It was under his management that the plant weathered the 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas as well as a project for simplifying the manufacturing process.

Som wasn’t available to comment on his departure this week, though he is expected back in Spokane in the next few weeks to wrap up loose ends.

Some Boeing workers now expect a change in the operations at the plant. “It all depends on who will come in to replace him,” said Bernie Fielder, a 10-year veteran at the Spokane plant and a SPEEA member on strike.

Originally from Omak, Wash., Som attended junior high and high school in Spokane. He has worked for Boeing for 28 years.