National Semiconductor has announced that CEO Brian Halla will retire from the post next month.
Donald Macleod, National's chief operating officer, has been named as the new president and CEO.
Macleod hails from Scotland and he attended the University of Stirling. He joined National in 1978.
In August, Macloed told Electronics Weekly about his plans for repositioning the 
semiconductor company.
"National is traditionally a supplier of building block products. Now we have more of a market focus which means we offer application specific products," said Macleod.
"This is a repositioning of the company in the market," said Macleod.
This repositioning of the business may also involve partnerships and even small acquisitions.
The development of application specific products 
and reference designs is not simply addressed at the mobile market, it is also being adopted more widely.
See: National Semiconductor repositions to ride mobile upturn
Halla is staying on for a few months during the changeover as executive chairman.
"This is 'the house that Donnie built', and he deserves to be its chief executive," said Halla. "I'll stay on through the 'rainy season' to make sure there are no leaks in the roof."
Halla plans to retire from the Board of Directors at the end of May 2010.