 In 1987 Norman Barkeley, a seasoned aerospace executive and recently retired chief executive officer of Lear Siegler, joined the Ducommun board of directors, and the following year became the company's chairman.Barkeley's leadership restored the company's growth and profitability, and with five targeted acquisitions established the footing for the progress of the next decade.He retired as Chairman Emeritus in 1998, and was succeeded by Joe Berenato who had been the company's chief financial Officer for six years before becoming its president and chief operating officer.