The succession at chairman was announced after the market close, but the shares were little changed in after-hours trading.

Previously he was Johnsonian Professor of Philosophy at Columbia from 1959 to 1971 and chairman of the department from 1964 to 1967.

He describes himself as a "back bencher who may have a shot at chairman in 32 years."

He rose swiftly through the ranks, becoming president in 1955 at the age of 39, chief executive officer in 1956 and chairman in 1968.

He was surgeon in chief at the university hospital in Birmingham and chairman of the department of surgery before retiring in 1989.

He was also at various times director, chairman of the board, and chief executive officer of the May Department Stores Company.

For 16 years, Mr. Frank ran Family Weekly, serving at different times as publisher, president, chief executive and chairman.

He was musical director at the Daile Theatre (1940-1950), and chairman of the Latvian Composers' Union (1951-1952, 1956-1968).

With a doctorate in soil science, Ahmed became a full professor at the University of Dhaka and chairman of the department.