Lee Temares, the executive director of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce for the past seven years, announced on Sunday that she will step down from her position at the end of the month.
In an e-mail to chamber members, Temares cited “recent developments within the Chamber, with which I feel uncomfortable” as the primary reason for her resignation, which will take effect on April 30.
“It has been my pleasure to have been your ‘go to’ person for the past seven years,” she wrote.
A source close to the chamber told the Manhasset Times that Temares left due to a dispute over her compensation.
“It got somewhat heated, but they left it on good terms,” the source said. “At the [chamber’s Business Card Exchange] networking thing on the 30th, they’re going to give her flowers and a plaque to thank her for her service.”
David Haghani, the chamber’s president and co-owner of three clothing stores on Plandome Road, declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Temares’ resignation but said the chamber would honor her during a networking event at the new Citibank on Northern Boulevard on April 30.
“Lee has been a tremendous asset to the chamber, from organizing regular meetings to promoting the chamber in the local news,” he said.
Temares was honored last month as one of 15 women inducted to the Town of North Hempstead’s 21st annual May W. Newburger Women’s Honor Roll.
She also wrote in the e-mail that, following her resignation, she would continue mentoring Manhasset business owners and make available her services as a book and household contents appraiser.
Future communications with the chamber, Temares wrote, should go through Haghani or Manhasset State Farm agent Nancy Morris, who has expressed interest in seeking the nomination for the chamber’s co-president position.
Nominations for the position, Temares wrote in a separate e-mail, are due to Haghani by Thursday. Chamber members will vote on the position during the networking event on April 30.
