Harry Hixson To Retire As Sequenom CEO

(RTTNews) - Sequenom, Inc. (SQNM) said Wednesday that Harry Hixson, Jr. will retire as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of the company's 2014 Annual Meeting on June 10.

William Welch, the company's current President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of CEO, effective as of the Annual Meeting and immediately upon Dr. Hixson's retirement as CEO.

Dr. Hixson will continue to serve as the Chairman of the company's Board of Directors following his retirement and following his re-election to the Board of Directors by the Company's stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Dr. Hixson has served as Chairman since 2003 and as Chief Executive Officer since September 2009.

The company's Board of Directors will also nominate Welch for election to the Company's Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.

Welch joined the company in January 2011 as Senior Vice President, Diagnostics and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2012.

In addition, Paul Maier, the company's Chief Financial Officer since 2009, will retire effective as of the Annual Meeting. Maier will serve as a consultant to the company following his retirement.

Carolyn Beaver, current Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will assume the role of CFO, effective as of the Annual Meeting and immediately upon Maier's retirement as CFO. Ms. Beaver joined the company as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in June 2012.