Head of Burlington Air Express Steps Down for Health Reasons

The chairman and chief executive officer of Burlington Air Express announced Wednesday in a letter to employees that he has decided to step down because of health problems.

David L. Marshall became chairman of Burlington, one of the nation’s largest international air express companies, in 1986. He took the reins as chief executive in 1992 when the Irvine-based company fired its co-chief executives, Robert I. MacFarlane and Peter Thorrington, who had headed an unsuccessful management-led buyout.

Marshall, 57, also resigned from his post as chief financial officer of Burlington’s parent, Pittston Co. in Greenwich, Conn. However, he will continue to serve on Pittston’s board of directors.

Burlington spokeswoman Raquel Garcia said the company has not yet named a new chief executive. Joseph C. Farrell, Pittston’s chairman, will assume the role of chairman at Burlington as well.

“Many of you know that I have been contending with the effects of high blood pressure for some time,” Marshall said in the company memo. “My doctor and my family have asked that I reduce my career responsibilities.”

Marshall said that employees “should not expect any sudden shift in policy as a result of this management change.”