Roger Milliken, CEO of textile giant Milliken & Co. since 1947, has relinquished his role as head of the Spartanburg, S.C.-based company. Ashley Allen, Milliken president and COO, has been named his successor. Allen, 62, becomes the first person outside of Milliken's immediate family to lead the organization.

Allen joined Milliken in 1969 as a research chemist and has remained an integral part of the company, according to Milliken. He is only the fourth CEO in the company's 140-year history. Before Roger Milliken was named to the top spot, the company was led by his father Gerrish Milliken, who was preceding his father and company founder Seth Milliken.

Milliken, who celebrated his 90th birthday recently, will continue as chairman. In a letter to employees, he congratulated Allen on his new position.

"Ashley (Allen) has spent his entire career with the company," Milliken wrote. "In an era when so many companies go outside to pick a new CEO, it gives Milliken's directors and me strong confidence that our long-term policy of careful recruiting, continuing education in Milliken University, and cross promotion is working."

Joe Salley, president of Milliken's worldwide Performance Fabrics division, will take over the COO post vacated by Allen.