Founder of Micom to Leave Company

Micom Systems said its founder, William A. Norred, will resign on Jan. 1 as chairman of the Simi Valley-based company. He will be replaced by Francis P. Lucier, former chairman of Black & Decker Manufacturing and a Micom board member since 1984.

The move isn’t expected to have a major impact on the operations of the company, which makes computer communications equipment. Norred had limited his involvement in Micom after turning over the chief executive’s job in 1985 to Roger L. Evans, who will continue to run the company.

Norred, 47, could not be reached for comment. A company spokeswoman said he stepped down as chairman because he is involved in several other businesses ventures, including a real estate development company he started, and is no longer able to devote much time to Micom.

Norred, who started the company in 1973, will remain a director. He also will continue to be one of the company’s largest shareholders. As of May 1, he held 1.9 million Micom shares, a stake of nearly 11%.

Lucier, 60, was chairman of Black & Decker, the power tool maker based in Towson, Md., from 1979 until he retired in 1984. He also is a director of SmithKline Beckman, a large drug manufacturer based in Philadelphia.