Meritor has named Ivor J. Evans executive chairman of the board and interim chief executive officer and president. Evans, who has been a member of the board of directors since 2005, succeeds Charles "Chip" McClure Jr., who is departing from the company.

"Ike Evans has extensive operational and manufacturing experience," said David W. Devonshire, presiding director of the board.  "From his years as a chief operating officer and senior executive, in addition to his board experience, he is well suited to serve as Meritor's chairman and interim CEO."  The search for the next CEO and president is under way and will include internal as well as external candidates.

McClure joined Meritor about nine years ago and prior to that worked as CEO and president at Federal-Mogul Corp. Meritor didn't cite a reason for his departure.

Evans served as president and chief operating officer of Union Pacific Railroad from 1998 until 2004 and as vice chairman of Union Pacific Corp. from January 2004 until his retirement in March 2005. From 1989 to 1998, he served in various executive positions at Emerson Electric Company, including senior vice president, Industrial Components and Equipment. He also spent 21 years serving in key operations roles for General Motors.