Obama loses cabinet member with business ties

John Bryson has resigned from his Commerce post.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- John Bryson resigned his post as Commerce Secretary on Thursday, less than two weeks after an episode involving a seizure and a series of traffic accidents.

Bryson, a former energy industry CEO, had served in the position since October, and his departure leaves the Obama administration with one fewer private-sector luminary.

Bryson brought significant business experience to the Commerce Department, having served as CEO and chairman of the parent company of Southern California Edison (EIX, Fortune 500) for almost 20 years.

Bryson retired from Edison in 2008, and was working as a senior adviser at private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) at the time of his nomination.

Bryson's selection was widely viewed as an example of the Obama administration's efforts to improve its occasionally rocky relationship with the business community.

But the former CEO's nomination was held up for months by Republican lawmakers who wanted to prioritize free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama.

Bryson was eventually confirmed by the Senate in October.

It was not immediately clear who will succeed Bryson, but Obama voiced support in a written statement for acting director Rebecca Blank, an academic with ties to the Clinton administration.

With only a few months before Election Day, the Obama administration may not make any immediate moves to replace Bryson.

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Obama loses cabinet member with business ties