NATION

James M. Moroney Jr. will retire as chairman and chief executive of A. H. Belo Corp., Dallas, at the end of the year and will be replaced by Robert W. Decherd, currently president and chief operating officer, the company said.

Belo owns the Dallas Morning News, seven suburban newspapers and broadcast stations.

Moroney, who reached the company’s mandatory retirement age of 65 this year, will serve as a full-time consultant to Belo and will assume the title of chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, a company statement said.

James P. Sheehan, now vice president and chief financial officer, will become president and chief operating officer of Belo.

Ward L. Huey Jr., president and chief executive of Belo’s broadcast subsidiary, will assume the corporate title of vice chairman of the board and president, broadcast division.

Burl Osborne, president and editor of the Morning News, will become a member of Belo’s board of directors, the company said.