Rockwell Merges Two Divisions, Restructures Management

Rockwell International Corp. announced Wednesday a management regrouping in which it combined its telecommunications switch division and its chip manufacturing business into a single unit.

A.E. (Lanny) Ross was chosen to head the new telecommunications unit, one of seven operating divisions in the $11-billion technology giant, which is based in Seal Beach.

Ross said the regrouping will have no effect on the work force of the two divisions. Combined, the telecommunications unit will report more than $500 million in revenue this year, and it is profitable, he said.

Ross was formerly head of the digital communications division, which is based in Newport Beach and employs 3,200 people who produce computer chips. He adds to his responsibilities oversight of the switching systems division, which is based in Downers Grove, Ill., and has about 800 employees who manufacture telephone switching systems.

Ross will continue to work in Newport Beach and report to Rockwell Chief Operating Officer Kent M. Black. He will also serve as a member of the corporation’s senior management council.

Dwight W. Decker, a vice president under Ross, will succeed Ross as vice president and general manager of the digital communications division. Stephen F. Panyko has been appointed vice president and general manager of the switching systems division.

Panyko, a former engineering director at the telecommunications switching unit, succeeds Richard M. Beyer, who resigned.