Kansas City, Mo. ? Chiefs president Denny Thum has stepped down, ending 36 years of employment with the club.

The Chiefs announced Thum’s departure Tuesday and said it was effective immediately.

Thum became team president in May 2009 and shared power with general manager Scott Pioli.

Thum joined the Chiefs in 1974 as a staff accountant.

The Chiefs also announced that chairman Clark Hunt has added the title of chief executive officer. The joint titles put him in overall charge of the organization his late father, Lamar Hunt, founded in 1959.

Clark Hunt said he has no plans to fill the position of president.

In a news release, Thum said he appreciated the opportunity to work for what he called the best franchise in the NFL.