One of the Tristate's highest-profile women executives, Karen L. Hendricks, resigned Friday from the board at Baldwin Piano & Organ Co., effective immediately.

        Her resignation comes after Baldwin earlier this month named major investor Kenneth W. Pavia as its chairman and two weeks after it appointed industry veteran Robert J. Jones its chief executive officer.

        Ms. Hendricks, formerly Baldwin's chairman and chief executive, had served on the board since 1994. Baldwin said it does not plan to replace her immediately but could change its position as circumstance warrant.

        Baldwin's stock has dropped as it reported losses of $17 million the past two years and as it restructured by focusing on its piano and organ operations.

        Ms. Hendricks, 53, who said in February she would step down, said she left for personal and professional reasons.

        She also said she felt comfortable leaving after helping Baldwin, a Mason-based piano manufacturer, accomplish most of a four-year effort to restructure.

        “Since I came to Baldwin, we've sold two of three of its major businesses, and the restructuring plan is near completion,” she said. “The board knew I would probably not be there any longer than 2002.”

        Ms. Hendricks also said that after she no longer was CEO, she thought her resignation was appropriate.

        Mr. Pavia, a California money manager who was named chairman last week, has been a frequent critic of the company's management.

        “We look forward to returning the company to profitability and restoring the luster to this once proud American manufacturing icon,” he said.

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