It was chief executive election time at Twin Disc (NASDAQ: TWIN), with a familiar name emerging as the winner. The company's board of directors has chosen John Batten to be its new CEO and president, effective Nov. 1. Batten replaces his father, Michael, who is to retire effective Dec. 31. The elder Batten will continue to serve in his present capacity as board chairman.

John Batten has worked at Twin Disc since 1996, joining the firm as an application engineer. He rose through the ranks to become president and chief operating officer in 2008.

His father has been with the company since 1970, holding several executive positions before being named president and CEO in 1983.