After eight months on the job, former television executive Ellen Endo (left) is no longer executive director of the San Francisco-based Asian American Journalists Association after a dispute with its board of directors.

A press release issued Saturday stated:

Ms. Endo worked diligently on behalf of AAJA and demonstrated a strong dedication and commitment to its mission. However, philosophical differences over AAJA’s vision and direction have led to this mutual decision.

AAJA said it plans to launch a search for a new director and that Maya Blackmun (right), a reporter at The Oregonian for 21 years, will serve interim executive director.

Endo was hired by the AAJA in December 2008, replacing Rene Astudillo, who had held the position since 1999. (Photo credits: Endo, Rafu Shimpo; Blackmun, AAJA)