WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Lee Delaney, president and chief executive officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club, died at age 48 of “presumed natural causes,” the company announced earlier this month.

Christopher Baldwin, executive chairman of the board of directors, issued the following statement on behalf of the board: “We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the passing of Lee Delaney. Lee was a brilliant and humble leader who cared deeply for his colleagues, his family and his community. We extend our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family, especially his wife and two children. We will honor his legacy and remember the extraordinary impact he had on so many. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”

Bob Eddy, executive vice president and chief administrative and financial officer, has been named interim CEO by the company’s board, effective immediately. Eddy joined the company in 2007 and was named executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2011. He assumed the role of chief administrative officer in 2018. Additionally, Christopher Baldwin, chairman of the board, has been appointed executive chairman.

“Bob partnered closely with Lee and has played an integral role in transforming and growing BJ’s Wholesale Club,” Baldwin said on behalf of the board. “We have the utmost confidence in Bob’s leadership and his deep knowledge of the business. We expect to announce permanent changes to our leadership within a reasonably short time frame.”

The company said the decision on new leadership will be aided by the wholesale club operator’s “prior succession planning.”

Delaney joined BJ’s five years ago as executive vice president and chief growth officer and was named president of the chain, which operates in 17 states, in 2019.

“Lee’s strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in transforming BJ’s Wholesale Club,” Baldwin said of Delaney when he was promoted to president.

Under Delaney’s leadership, “the new organization will build on our progress as we continue our transformation, driving long-term, profitable growth,” Baldwin added at the time. “I look forward to continuing to partner with Lee to transform BJ’s Wholesale Club.”

Prior to joining BJ’s, Delaney was a partner in the Boston office of Bain & Co., and a leader in the firm’s Consumer Products practice. Delaney held an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Massachusetts.