New Chief Appointed at MAI Systems

Irvine-based MAI Systems Corp. said Tuesday that its chief executive has left to head up another venture and that the company has appointed a replacement and promoted two others.

George Bayz, 45, who had been president and chief executive since February 1997, resigned Monday to join Thinque Systems Corp., a sales force automation tools company in North Hollywood.

MAI, which provides information systems for process manufacturers and the hospitality market, said Tuesday that Bayz would be replaced by Brian Kretzmer, who left MAI two years ago to join a computer support firm.

Luke Brown, vice president and chief executive of MAI’s process manufacturing group, was promoted to chief operating officer. He replaces Lewis Stanton, who joined MAI when Bayz became chief executive. Stanton retains his position as chief financial officer.

In addition, Sasun Musliyan, president of MAI’s Canada operations, was appointed president of the company’s legacy division.

During Bayz’s tenure at MAI, the company saw three consecutive profitable quarters after seven quarters in the red, although its revenue fell to $62 million last year, from $72 million in 1996. MAI’s stock has been in the doldrums for the past two years, never fully recovering from a slide that began in 1996, when it traded as high as $10.63. The stock fell 6 cents Tuesday, to $2.75.

“This is not a reflection of MAI Systems, its prospects, its customers or opportunities,” Bayz said of his resignation. “It was just time to move on.”