CHAPEL HILL – Only days after a new a president was introduced, UNC Board of Governors Chairman John Fennebresque announced Monday that he is resigning effective immediately.

The 68-year-old Charlotte attorney's resignation comes amid calls for him to step aside after some board members expressed concern that the search for the next president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, which he had led, had not been transparent enough.

The UNC Board of Governors announced their unanimous vote for Spellings as the next president on Friday.

Fennebresque's departure comes months after the board forced out current UNC System President Tom Ross. His resignation will take effect in Janaury.

"While John Fennebresque and I may have had our differences at times, he truly loves the University of North Carolina and has been a tireless, passionate advocate for it," said Ross in a statement Monday. "He has served the UNC system with great dedication and commitment."

Fennebresque has served on the board since 2011.

The current vice chairman of the Board of Governors, Asheville attorney W. Louis "Lou" Bissette, Jr., will assume the chairmanship until the board can elect a new chairman. The board meets in its regular session Friday.