COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Jim Scherr has stepped down as the chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, a surprising resignation that comes with the federation facing financial difficulties and in the midst of trying to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago.

Scherr announced his decision Thursday. His last day will be March 31, and he will be replaced on an interim basis by Stephanie Streeter, a member of the USOC board of directors.

On Tuesday, Scherr announced the USOC would trim up to 15 percent of its staff as part of an effort to pare $7.1 million from the 2009 budget and stay ahead of the bad economy. During a news conference that day in Washington, he spoke about the future and gave no signs of his pending resignation.