Portales Chamber director resigns

Stephen Hardin, named executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce in March, has handed in his resignation from the post effective Tuesday.

He posted a letter to "my community" on Facebook.

In it, Hardin thanked the community for "the opportunity to serve ... Unfortunately, due to employment logistics and financial concerns, I have found no other option than to resign."

Karl Terry, who retired from the Chamber position prior to Hardin's hiring, said Thursday he will return to the job this week on a part-time interim basis.

Hardin was recently listed as one of the applicants for the Portales city manager's job, which went to Chris Moyer early last month.

"I don't have a comment other than he did us a really good job," Chamber President Eldon Merrick said Thursday afternoon.

Attempts to reach Hardin for comment were not immediately successful.

He wrote in his letter, "I hope to serve again in some official capacity in the future when all is in alignment."