Lear Siegler CEO to Retire

Robert T. Campion, 65, the longtime chairman and chief executive of Lear Siegler, will retire Aug. 15 and be replaced by current president Norman A. Barkeley, the company announced Friday.

Campion became chief executive of the Santa Monica-based firm in 1971, when revenue was in the $500-million range, and became chairman in 1974.

Last year, sales totaled $2.4 billion from its broad range of aerospace, automotive and industrial products.

The company said Campion will remain on the board of directors and continue as chairman of the executive committee as well as serve as a part-time consultant. Lear Siegler has a mandatory retirement age of 65.

Barkeley, 56, will retain the president’s title and assume those of chairman and chief executive. He has been the expected successor to Campion since being named president in April 1985.

A 30-year employee of Lear Siegler, Barkeley has headed the aerospace and automotive groups.