(Telecompaper) Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Rory Read is stepping down and will be succeeded by COO Lisa Su, the Wall Street Journal reported. Read said that the change reflected his regular discussions with AMD's board about succession issues and that the time was right for a change to drive AMD forward. Su previously worked at IBM, as did Read, as well as at Freescale Semiconductor. Ms. Su said that AMD's x86 business remains important but indicated she will largely continue along Read's priorities. She added that diversifying the business was critical. Read will support the transition in an advisory role through the end of this year.