McKenzie is set to remain on the football club board in the short term and will continue to act as a consultant, but his period in the chair is up.
Birch said today in the Yorkshire Evening Post: "John came in at a difficult time and he stabilised the club's position.
"He took some of the costs out of the business and gave the club breathing space. His efforts have given the club the chance to fight for survival.
"He stepped into the breach at what was a very difficult time and I think that is great testament to his character."
However, on the other side of the coin, McKenzie was wished good riddance from one of his fiercest critics.
Finance expert Dr Bill Gerrard snapped: "He would have been slaughtered at the AGM.
"The focus would have been on his £300k-a-year pay and on the Harry Kewell transfer that netted Leeds a paltry £2.5m."