Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the former president and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Jeffrey Hunt, spoke out November 17, about his dismissal after more than four years on the job. The chamber’s executive committee voted to terminate Hunt’s employment on November 10, after it was made aware of "some irregularities within the [organization's] finances." In an interview, Hunt told Schneider that he agreed to the separation and takes responsibility for communication issues leading up to his termination. “There were some communication missteps on my part and I own up to it,” Hunt said. He did not specify the origins of the communication missteps. An internal investigation is being conducted by chamber Board of Directors Chairman Derick H. LaTorre, chamber Treasurer Matthew Mackerer and corporate counsel Matt Griesemer. Criminal charges are not currently being considered, LaTorre said. The irregularities occurred over at least the past year, he said. “Right now, it looks like there were funds used that weren’t necessarily authorized, so that’s the irregularity and what we’re trying to determine at what level that is,” LaTorre said. He would not comment on the amount of money at stake. “We’re kind of in the midst of trying to determine the full nature of it,” he added. Hunt said he planned on working at the chamber for four to five years and it has been more than four years since he began. “I think it was time for a change for me,” Hunt added. “I think the chamber is in a stronger place today than it was when I started and I have nothing discouraging to say about individual board members or the chamber itself. The organization is a wonderful organization and it will continue to grow and strive.” The board has not yet established a timeline to hire a new president and CEO. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.