National chooses Halla

Electronic News, May 6, 1996

Santa Clara, Calif.--National Semiconductor's board named Brian Halla, executive VP of LSI Logic, as its new leader late Friday, bucking rumors that had another outsider, Walden Rhines, Mentor Graphics' president and CEO, as the favorite. Mr. Halla takes the reigns as chairman, president and CEO effective immediately.

It has been said the board of directors was determined to name a new chief before the annual shareholders meeting next month. The position was vacated by Gil Amelio, who abruptly left earlier this year to take the reins at troubled Apple Computer (EN, Feb. 5).

Mr. Halla, 49, joined LSI Logic in 1988 to head up the microprocessor group, and was promoted to his most recent post in 1992. A reorganization in the upper ranks of LSI at that time left the office of president vacant. It was thought then that Mr. Halla was being groomed for that seat (EN, March 30, 1992). Before joining LSI, he spent 14 years with Intel in a variety of management positions.

At LSI, Mr. Halla was responsible for networking/telecommunications, digital video and computer system logic products, which is in line with National's current focus on communications technologies, despite the differences in the companies' orientations, a company spokesman said. LSI is an ASIC company, while National typically supplies standard analog products.

National did not disclose other candidates for the position, but said internal consideration was given principally to the members of the Office of the President, which is currently split three ways by Richard Beyer, Kirk Pond and Ellen Hancock. Early on, Ms. Hancock was rumored to be Dr. Amelio's hand-picked successor (EN, Feb. 12).

The fate of the three-member office is unknown at this point. The office was set up shortly before Dr. Amelio's departure, reportedly as a way to groom a successor. With a new leader in place, the point appears moot. A National spokesman said the office will remain intact for now, but noted the future of the company is ultimately in Mr. Halla's hands.

Meanwhile, industry observers have noted Mr. Beyer and Ms. Hancock may not wait around for a second shot at the top spot. Mr. Pond, according to valley gossip, was not interested in the job.