FRANKLIN, Tenn. — CLARCOR Inc. announced that Christopher L. Conway, the company’s current president and chief operating officer, will assume the position of president and chief executive officer on Dec. 13, 2011. On that same date, the company’s current chief executive officer, Norm Johnson, will assume the role of executive chairman. Johnson will then assist Conway in various areas while continuing to oversee CLARCOR’s board of directors until his retirement from the company on Nov. 30, 2012, the last business day of CLARCOR’s 2012 fiscal year.

Johnson said, “This transition of leadership to Chris is the result of several years of consideration and planning by our board. Since becoming our president and COO nearly 18 months ago, Chris has been able to build upon his already substantial knowledge of CLARCOR’s businesses, its culture, and the filtration industry. Chris becoming CEO and my assuming the role of executive chairman is the next step in our planning process.

“I have been fortunate to work for CLARCOR for over 20 years, with the last 15 of those serving as either president or CEO. During that time, CLARCOR has evolved into one of the leading filtration companies in the world. While I’m proud of what we have accomplished, I am confident that Chris and his management team have the capacity to take the company to even greater heights.”