Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce President Karen Ream will retire this December, after being at the organization&8217;s reigns for more than 14 years.

In a letter to Chamber members, Ream wrote: &8220;I have a personal and wonderful life change that includes marriage and a much slower and simpler way of life and will be leaving the chamber as of Dec. 31, 2006. I know you will continue to help build a strong Shelby County chamber through your involvement. This has been a great and wonderful experience and I thank you for having made it fun.&8221;

Ream thanked business and community leaders for their support: &8220;The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce has many supporters who serve as elected officials and who realize the importance of being partners with such a strong association of diverse business leaders who represent independent small business as well as large companies.&8221;

Ream started as director of what was then the North Shelby Chamber of Commerce in 1992. Since then, she has overseen the chamber as it expanded in both membership and staff.

&8220;This organization has consistently had business leaders who gave time, talent and financial resources make this chamber one of the best in the state of Alabama. They have been model leaders&8221;

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce serves Pelham, Alabaster, Helena and the northern Highway 280 corridor.