February 16, 2010 (FinancialWire) — Michael D. Lockhart is stepping down as Armstrong World Industries, Inc.’s (NYSE: AWI) chief executive and president, and as chairman of the board and a director, effective February 28. The company’s board has elected James J. O’Connor, currently Armstrong’s lead independent director, as chairman.

The company said that O’Connor will head a search committee to identify and evaluate candidates for the CEO position.

O’Connor has served as a director of the company since February 2007 and as the lead director since February 2009. He also serves as the lead independent director of the boards of directors of Corning, Inc., Smurfit Stone Container, UAL and United Airlines.

He retired as chairman and chief executive officer of Unicom and its subsidiary, Commonwealth Edison, in 1998.

Pennsylvania-based Armstrong World Industries is engaged in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. The company operates 36 plants in nine countries and has around 10,800 employees.

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