Ducommun Inc. said Monday that its board named Anthony J. Reardon chief executive effective Jan. 1.

Reardon is currently president and chief operating officer of the Carson aerospace and defense engineering firm. He replaces retiring CEO Joseph C. Berenato, who will remain as chairman. Reardon will also become a member of the board.

Reardon was named to his current positions in January 2008. He was president of Ducommun AeroStructures, Ducommun’s largest subsidiary, from January 2003 to December 2007.

“Tony has excelled in every position and at every level throughout his career,” Berenato said in a statement. “He will take Ducommun to the next level by focusing on our core processes of operational excellence and organizational development.”

Shares were up 31 cents, or nearly 2 percent, to $18.92 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.