San Jose, Calif. - Adobe Systems (NASD: ADBE), the maker of Web publishing software, has announced that Bruce Chizen, its CEO for the past seven years, will step down on Dec. 1.

Chizen will be replaced by Shantanu Narayen, the company's current president and COO.

Narayen will retain the role of president, as well.

"For me personally, the time is right for a transfer of leadership," said Chizen, who will remain on Adobe's board of advisors through the spring.

Together with Chizen, Narayen spearheaded Adobe's acquisition of Macromedia in 2005, expanding Adobe's software platform and strengthening the company's presence in several key markets.

Narayen joined Adobe in 1998 as vice president and general manager of the company's engineering technology group.

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