Tekelec, which laid off about 50 employees at its Morrisville headquarters this month, named a former Alcatel-Lucent executive as its new chairman.

The local layoffs were part of a broader restructuring as the telecommunications equipment company tries to cut costs and offset slower sales. The company expects to eliminate up to 15 percent of its global workforce as it focuses on next generation technology.

Hubert de Pesquidoux, who has been a Tekelec board member since 2009, has taken over as chairman. He replaces Mark Floyd, who did not seek reelection.

It's the second top executive change at the company this year.