Lacy Chosen as Chairman of Micro D

Linwood A. (Chip) Lacy Jr. was named Thursday as the new chairman and chief executive of Santa Ana-based Micro D, one of the nation’s largest computer products wholesalers, replacing both Micro D founder Lorraine Mecca, who is stepping down as chief executive, and her husband, Geza Csige, who is leaving the chairman’s post.

In addition, Harold Clark, chief operating officer, was promoted to president, and Godfred Otuteye, chief financial officer, was elevated to senior vice president. Mecca and Csige, who opened Micro D in Fountain Valley in 1979 and presided over its growth, are leaving the company to pursue new business ventures from their home in Hawaii.

Lacy, 40, most recently senior vice president-marketing at Best Products in Virginia, had served as Micro D’s senior vice president and chief operating officer from March, 1982, to January, 1983. He was being groomed as Mecca’s successor when he left to join Best, which operates a string of catalogue showrooms.

Lacy’s appointment came days after Micro D announced that its planned merger with First Software of Lawrence, Mass., had fallen through because of potential tax problems. Mecca had sought the merger as a way of removing herself from the company’s daily management.

Mecca, 36, said she plans to sell her 51% interest in Micro D, valued at about $13.5 million, to finance her new ventures. However, she has agreed to serve as a consultant to the company through the remainder of the year.