Co-Founder of Minicomputer Maker Resigns : Management: Richard C. Wilcox is leaving Alpha Microsystems to pursue other interests but will continue to do consulting work for the firm.
Richard C. Wilcox, a co-founder of business computer maker Alpha Microsystems, has resigned as chief technology officer and vice chairman to pursue other interests, the company said Monday.
Alpha Micro President John S. Cain described the parting as amicable and said Wilcox will continue to work for the firm as a consultant on new product development.
“What you really have here is a very creative guy that built a large company with a lot of rules and structures,” Cain said. “He would like to do some research and development on his own in a creative environment away from the company. Since he will remain as a consultant, I think that will be better for us.”
Wilcox could not be reached for comment.
He co-founded the company with Chairman Robert B. Hitchcock in March, 1977. He served as president from 1977 to 1982 and chairman from 1981 to 1986. He was named chief technology officer in 1987 and vice chairman in 1988.
Cain said Wilcox’s departure will not create a leadership vacuum at the company since the current management will remain. He said the board of directors has made no decision to replace Wilcox.
Alpha Micro has been hurt by a prolonged downturn in sales of minicomputers--the middle range of computers between personal computers and the largest mainframes. The company lost $2.4 million on sales of $13.5 million in its first quarter ended May 27, compared to net income of $579,000 on sales of $14.1 million during the same period last year.
In August, the company laid off 9% of its work force, or 35 people, to help reduce costs. The company also decided to cancel a program to develop business computers based on the popular Pick operating system.
Wilcox left the company unvoluntarily four years ago. In 1986, he and Hitchcock were forced out in a management struggle. They later regained their positions by ousting Richard A. Cortese, president and chief executive.
