DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

National Semiconductor Corp.'s (NSM) long-time Chief Executive Brian L. Halla will retire at the end of November, and will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Donald Macleod.

Halla, who will remain the company's chairman, also plans to retire from the board of directors at the end of the company's fiscal year, on May 30.

"This is 'The house that Donnie built,' and he deserves to be its chief executive," said Halla on Friday. "I'll say on through the 'rainy season' to make sure there are no leaks in the roof."

Friday's announcement isn't the first shift in executive roles between Halla and Macleod. In 2005, Macleod took on the additional role of president from Halla, who had served in that role and also as chairman and chief executive since 1996.

Prior to becoming chief operating officer, Macleod served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for 10 years.

The shift in the top ranks at National Semiconductors comes at a time when the analog-chip maker has cut costs as it shifts to make more lucrative products for specific markets, particularly energy management. National Semiconductor trimmed its work force by 26% in March, one of the more dramatic responses by a Silicon Valley company to the recession.

Shares were down 3.7% to $13.68 in after-hours trading.

-By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480; john.kell@dowjones.com