NEW ORLEANS — Former Chamber of Commerce president Jeffrey Hunt, who was dismissed from his position in Columbia County, was recently fired from his new similar position with the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.
Hunt was relieved from his duties as executive director of the New Orleans Chamber last Friday, according to a statement from Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Perry Sholes.
In November of 2020, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to cut ties with Hunt. The board at that time said there had been some “irregularities within the finances.”
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday the investigation into those irregularities remains active.
Hunt said Thursday the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce had told him that his dismissal was related to the incidents in Columbia County.
He said he revealed to the New Orleans Chamber that the Columbia County situation was financial in nature. Hunt also said that he told the New Orleans Chamber officials it involved a dispute over $3,000.
“I didn’t disclose the entire nature because I thought I was under a nondisclosure agreement with the Columbia County Chamber,” Hunt said.
Hunt said Matthew Griesemer was the signer of the nondisclosure agreement and that the New Orleans Chamber reached out to Griesemer, who told them he did not remember a nondisclosure agreement.
“It’s unfortunate Mr. Griesmere didn’t remember it, because he was the signer of the nondisclosure form and my offer letter,” Hunt said.
Hunt was named to the New Orleans Chamber in February.
“It is unfortunate that the person who’s never bee accused of anything before in this lifetime is suffering so much scrutiny for a case that hasn’t been decided yet,” Hunt said. “It’s unfortunate for me. It feels, as an African-American male, you’re guilty until proven innocent.”
The New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce announced that an interim executive director will be named next week and a search to fill the position permanently will begin as soon as possible.
Sholes said Thursday he had no comment on the situation.
“We are moving forward,” Sholes said last Friday. “I’m focused on strategic stability and innovation which starts with building the right team. We are focused on accomplishing this. The mission of our organization is to support, promote and educate our members for sustainable growth and expansion and we are committed to continuing to do just that.”
Bill Gerlach became the new president and CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce in April 2021. Gerlach referred questions about the investigation into Hunt’s activities to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.