HIGHTSTOWN, N.J. -- The New Jersey Credit Union League, roiled by last month's firing of President/CEO Robert S. Walls, was facing more fallout Thursday with sharp complaints by a departing director over procedures and policies governing trade group operations.

The blunt criticism of fellow directors for methods before and after the ousting of Walls April 23 came from a surprising source, First Financial Federal Credit Union of Tom's River CEO Issa Stephan, appointed only two weeks ago to the five-member Search Committee to find Walls' replacement.

"I'm not happy at all with the way the table leadership handled this matter nor am I with the way they've done the search in not pursing a more professional approach," said Stephan, who said he has already resigned his director's job in a May 9 letter.

Declining to discuss the specifics of Walls' tenure except to say his background at the smaller Delaware League may not have been the right fit for New Jersey, Stephan said much needs to be done to improve many aspects of league management from advertising to "how they treat their voters, those who count, the 230 members of the New Jersey Credit Union League."

Request for reaction to Stephan's criticism was referred to the chairman of the league, Rina Pantano of Monmouth Junction, who was not immediately available for comment.