The former chairman of the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, who resigned that post in October but stayed on the board, stepped down altogether Thursday.
Rufus Montgomery sent a letter of resignation, effective immediately, to Gov. Rick Scott, according to a copy of the letter provided by the board’s public-relations firm.
Montgomery’s appointment would have been up next month, subject to reappointment by the governor.
“I wish the best for Florida A&M University,” the Atlanta-based lobbyist wrote. The move came after a turbulent period at the university, which was capped in October when Montgomery led the trustees in an effort to fire President Elmira Mangum.
When two votes failed in an Oct. 22 emergency board meeting, FAMU students marched to the Capitol to support Mangum, and Montgomery stepped down as chairman the next day.
Last month a Mangum ally, Cleve Warren of Jacksonville, was elected to chair the board, with Montgomery alone speaking against his nomination.