Fisher Quits as President of Birtcher After 16 Months

El Monte-based Birtcher Corp. announced Friday that William J. Fisher resigned as president and managing director “to pursue personal interests.”

Birtcher Chairman Ernest V. Jarvis will assume the titles of president and chief executive while the company searches for Fisher’s successor.

Fisher, a turnaround specialist and head of a Newport Beach management consulting firm, joined the troubled medical equipment manufacturer as a director in June, 1985, and was named president the following August.

During Fisher’s tenure, the company--which has been losing money since 1982--divested some unprofitable lines of business and consolidated others while instituting a cost-cutting program. For its fiscal year ended June 30, it posted a loss of $442,283 on revenue of $7.46 million.

Birtcher recently announced a tentative agreement with a private investor group for a $3-million infusion of capital.