Boston atheletic retailer City Sports announced Thursday the resignation of the president and CEO Jeff Connor, effective immediately.

Chairman of the board Tom Stemberg of Highland Capital has named City Sports’ chief financial officer Jim Kessler as acting CEO until a new appointment is announced in the coming weeks.

‘‘After 22 rewarding years as part of the City Sports team, it’s time for me to make a change,’’ said Connor, who was named CEO in December of 2008. ‘‘At this juncture, it’s best for City Sports to make room for a new perspective.” 

City Sports operates 21 metropolitan stores across the East Coast, with locations in Boston, Providence, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Burlington, Vermont. The stores focus on outfitting athletes who participate in running, triathlons, training, cycling, swimming, yoga and tennis.