Chief of MBK Construction Steps Down

Andrew L. Youngquist said Tuesday that he is resigning as president of MBK Construction Ltd., formerly Birtcher Construction Ltd., the company he founded 11 years ago with two employees.

Youngquist, 55, said he wanted to pursue other interests. The resignation is effective immediately; no replacement has been announced.

The construction company Youngquist started in 1985 now employs 140 people and has revenue of $140 million. Birtcher has grown to become one of the largest commercial builders on the West Coast, known for building movie theaters and the huge, blue-hued Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

Birtcher was a family-owned firm until two years ago when Japanese trading concern Mitsui & Co. Ltd. took an 80% stake in the company.

“Over the years, the company has evolved into one of the nation’s largest construction firms, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my role in steering its growth,” Youngquist said.

“However, we all arrive at a point when it’s time for new challenges. The industry has changed tremendously over the last few years and I’m looking forward to exploring a number of exciting opportunities,” he said.

Youngquist started with Birtcher Development, a company run by the Birtcher family, in 1979 in Laguna Niguel. He was selected in 1985 to head the firm’s start-up construction arm. A California native and resident of Newport Beach, he graduated from Newport Harbor High School and Orange Coast College.

“All my options are open, but I’m not going to retire. The only thing I know is construction,” he said.