The Westinghouse Electric Co. board of directors accepted the resignation of Jim Ferland, previously announced as incoming president and CEO, and said board chairman Shigenori Shiga would assume the role of president and CEO on an interim basis, effective immediately.

There was no immediate explanation of Ferland's explanation. Former CEO Aris Candris retired Friday.

Ferland was president of the Americas region at Westinghouse before his promotion. The company announced last week that it was splitting its nuclear business into two units.

"It's unclear if Ferland ever officially served as CEO. He assumed the role effective April 1, and notified the board of his resignation 'sometime over the weekend,'" the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.