Camarillo Chamber of Commerce President Tom Kelley will step down in January after nearly a decade as head of one of the most dynamic chambers in Ventura County.

In a statement from board chair Michael Lavenant, the chamber said Kelley will retire effective Jan. 3, 2011. His accomplishments included bringing Camarillo and its business community closer together on economic development issues and contributing heavily to the development of CSU Channel Islands, which became an independent four-year institution during his watch.

Earlier this year, the California Chamber of Commerce recognized the Camarillo chamber as a President’s Circle Recipient for Outstanding Achievement as an advocacy and business partner.

Kelly was the president of the Sedona, Ariz. chamber before moving to Camarillo. A believer in regional economic development, he was instrumental in organizing the Chamber of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, an advocacy coalition. He served as its president for its first two years, beginning in 2003, and on its board and executive committee.

A search committee is being headed by chamber chair Lavenant. The position listing and a full job description can be found on the chamber website, www.camarillochamber.org.