"could be internet rumors... but I believe it to be more than that " Based on what?

There are a few things that are possible. Until we here from Mr Koranda, no one will ever know the truth.

The hardest thing to change in any work environment is the culture. Especially a culture that is lazy, inefficient, and mediocre.
Is that the culture at the AMA, who knows? I don't and unless you work there neither do you.

If Mr. Koranda was stonewalled by employees that feared change and refused to help accomplish goals, he may have become shall we say less than tolerent of that behavior, if that were the case, can you blame him?