John Bryson quits post as Commerce secretary President Obama and John Bryson at the May 31, 2011 announcement naming the former utility executive to be Commerce Secretary. Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images (CBS News) Commerce Secretary John Bryson resigned his post Wednesday, less than two weeks after suffering a seizure connected to three traffic accidents in southern California. In a letter to President Obama, Bryson said his June 9 seizure could be a distraction from his performance and the nation "would be better served by a change in leadership of the department." The department announced June 11 that Bryson would take a medical leave of absence in the wake of news that he suffered a seizure and hit two different cars in three different incidents that took place within minutes of each other while driving his personal vehicle near Los Angeles, California. In a written statement, Mr. Obama called Bryson "an effective and distinguished leader throughout his career in both the public and private sectors." Dr. Rebecca Blank would continue to serve as acting Commerce Secretary, a post she took when Bryson announced his medical leave. Mr. Obama said Bryson, who had been the head of Edison International, would continue to serve on the president's export council. In a letter to department staff, Bryson told department staff he feels "privileged to have been part of the progress we have made together for our businesses and workers as they 'build it here and sell it everywhere.' "