SAN JOSE — The chief executive officer of a key San Jose business group has quit, leaving a vacancy in the organization’s top spot ahead of the arrival of three mega sporting events in the South Bay next year.

The San Jose Downtown Association’s CEO, Alex Stettinski, has resigned, according to information released by the business association and a group representing downtown property owners.

The Stettinski resignation was abrupt and occurred without warning.

“Alex Stettinski has decided to step down as CEO to pursue his next professional chapter,” according to a prepared release issued by the Downtown Association and a downtown property owners group. “We thank him for his nearly three years of service and leadership.”

The two business groups said they wished Stettinski well in his next endeavor.

Gumby Marques, a prior chair of the San Jose Downtown Association’s board of directors, has taken over on an interim basis to lead the group.

Marques takes over as interim CEO while the association’s board scouts for a permanent replacement.

The vacancy emerges at a critical time for businesses in downtown San Jose.

Political leaders at City Hall hope downtown San Jose businesses will be able to harvest some of the upswing in business from a trio of mega events that are slated to arrive in the South Bay in 2026.

The NFL Superbowl, several matches of the FIFA World Cup and a key round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament are scheduled to be held in the South Bay during 2026.

“From advancing our clean and safe initiatives to championing local businesses, the San Jose Downtown Association remains firmly focused on progress,” the association stated.