NATION

John William Poduska Sr. has resigned as chairman of Apollo Computer, the company he founded in 1979. He said he will form a new firm to make business work stations in a higher price range than those manufactured by Apollo.

Apollo President and Chief Executive Thomas A. Vanderslice has been named to take Poduska’s place at the Chelmsford, Mass.-based supplier of computer work stations for engineering and scientific applications.

In making the announcement Thursday, Apollo Computer said it has an agreement with Poduska to invest in the new company in exchange for the right of first refusal to acquire it upon its initial public offering.