Phil Calderone has been removed as CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority.

The Airport Authority Board announced Wednesday afternoon that Calderone "has been relieved of his duties ... effective immediately" by the board.

Calderone, a former longtime deputy mayor of Albany and deputy Albany County executive, was not having his contract renewed when it expires on Dec. 1, the authority's board of directors announced last month.

"The Board’s primary obligation is to ensure for the efficient and responsive management of the premier transportation hub and economic driver in the region, and the Board determined that a different level of professionalism, aptitude and skill were needed to most effectively lead the Airport to success," read a statement from the board.

Peter Stuto, the former general counsel for the Airport Authority, was named as acting CEO. The board said last month that it was using a national search firm to find Calderone's successor. Additionally, former Albany International Airport CEO John O'Donnell — Calderone's predecessor — was named acting chief operating officer.

"Together, Stuto and O’Donnell have more than 50 years of airport leadership experience," the board said in a statement. "They are the right executives to lead the Airport during this time of transition."

The Albany Times Union reported Albany County Executive Dan McCoy was eyeing the top airport job, which pays $227,000 a year. McCoy said he was committed to serving out his current term and running for reelection. McCoy released a statement on Wednesday, saying he respects the commitment of the board members and their decision-making authority.

“As I have mentioned before, the success of the airport is crucial for the present and future of Albany County," he said. "The Airport Authority Board is tasked with overseeing the airport, and decisions regarding personnel matters rest solely with the Authority Board."

The abrupt change at the airport has alarmed Assemblymembers Pat Fahy, John McDonald and Phil Steck, who wrote a letter to the Airport Authority Board saying they were concerned about the future of the facility.

On Wednesday, Fahy said parting ways with Calderone was the airport board's decision to make, and she was encouraged that two "highly reputable airport executives" were put in charge of the facility. 

"I am hoping this is the end of it now, and that we will move forward," she said. 

Last month, a bipartisan group of 16 Albany County legislators publicly urged the airport authority board to renew Calderone's contract as CEO.