After serving for three years as president and chief operating officer of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and its foundation, Todd Leavitt is stepping down from the organization.

He will remain in his present capacity for the near future to help the academy transition his replacement, according to an announcement by ATAS Chairman and CEO Dick Askin and ATAS Foundation Chairman and CEO Steve Mosko. The announcement did not specify how soon a new president-COO would be named, but the academy “will develop a succession plan,” a spokesperson said.

Mr. Leavitt told the academy’s board of governors he wishes to return to the commercial sector of the television industry and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, the announcement said.

“I am pleased that I will be leaving the academy in a condition of health and vigor, with dedicated leadership and key staff appointments that will be steering the academy into an even better future,” Mr. Leavitt said in a statement included in the announcement. “I am certain I will continue to be an involved member of the academy community.”

During Mr. Leavitt’s tenure he participated in the negotiation of the present multinetwork “wheel” arrangement for the telecast of the Primetime Emmys. In addition, Mr. Leavitt negotiated the red carpet license agreements with E! Entertainment and TV Guide Channel, resulting in expanded Creative Arts Emmy coverage.

Before running the academy Mr. Leavitt was the managing director of Tulip Media Ltd. and served as chairman of Alliance Television and executive VP of NBC Studios.