Motorola set-top box exec leaving to head electronics firm Technitrol

(Reuters) — Motorola Inc. said Monday that Dan Moloney, the head of its television set-top box business, has decided to leave the company to become chief executive officer of electronics components maker Technitrol Inc.

The announcement comes after Motorola revealed a plan to separate the company into two parts, one of which will combine the set-top box business and the mobile devices unit.

After the split-off, scheduled for the first quarter of next year, Motorola's Co-CEO Sanjay Jha will head the mobile devices and home unit.

Motorola said Moloney, who joined the company after its acquisition of General Instrument in 2000, played a role in the decision to combine the cellphone and set-top box business. Moloney had worked at General Instrument for 16 years.

Philadelphia-based Technitrol said Moloney would join at the end of March to replace James Papada, who is retiring. Technitrol produces parts for communications equipment.