Restructuring of Management Told by MAI

MAI Basic Four Inc., shaking up operations after its ill-fated attempt to take over Prime Computer Inc. earlier this year, has named Fred D. Anderson Jr. president and chief operating officer and moved up William Weksel to chairman.

The changes are part of a restructuring the Tustin computer company has launched to create an “entrepreneurial environment” in each of seven new business units, said Bertrand Weidberg, MAI’s general counsel.

Anderson, 45, formerly MAI’s chief financial officer, assumed his new posts on Wednesday. Weksel had served as acting president and chief operating officer since June. Weksel will continue as chief executive along with his new post.

Weksel, 53, assumes the chairman’s job formerly held by Bennett S. LeBow, MAI’s controlling shareholder. LeBow, 51, has been named to the newly created post of chairman of the board’s executive committee. Weksel is a business partner of LeBow’s.

LeBow heads Brooke Partners LP, which last fall invested $55 million in MAI to boost its stake in the company to 54%.

In another top management change, Michael Veuve, the company’s treasurer, assumed the additional position of vice president of finance. Anderson’s former position of chief operating officer has been eliminated.

MAI lost $39.9 million for its fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, primarily due to expenses incurred during its failed 10-month effort to acquire Prime Computer in Natick, Mass.