Xerox Elevates President to Chairman Post

David T. Kearns, president and chief executive of Xerox, has been named chairman, the company said Monday in announcing a shift in responsibilities of its three-member corporate office. Kearns, 54, who has held his present position since May, 1982, will replace C. Peter McColough as chairman and will continue as chief executive, the Stamford, Conn.-based company said in a statement.

McColough, 62, will become chairman of the executive committee. The position of president will not be filled.

In addition, William F. Glavin, 53, will assume the new post of vice chairman. He has been an executive vice president since 1983.

Kearns said the new alignment will permit Glavin to spend more time with him on strategic planning and permit McColough to continue gradually reducing his duties as planned when Kearns succeeded him as chief executive.

The changes will take effect after the company’s May 16 annual meeting in Rochester, N.Y.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Ending an eight-month search for a successor to retiring founder Frederick N. Mellinger, Frederick’s of Hollywood Inc. named George W. Townson chairman and chief executive.

Townson, 44, whose new position becomes effective May 20, most recently was president and chief executive of the Tinder Box and Piccadilly Place specialty stores based in Santa Monica.