"Over the last six months it's been apparent my family needs me, especially my daughter going into seventh grade," Day said. "They were ready to have me around more. It's that time in my life when I need to shift gears and shift focus."

Day has set up a four-month transition plan to guide the chamber through selecting a new director and training her replacement. She said she hopes to step down by Christmas -- almost three years since she started on Dec. 11, 2006. Day said the transition should go smoothly.

"We're in a great position. The staff is just terrific," she said.

Day replaced former director Derotha Ferraro. The Days moved to Homer from Anchorage in September 2006 after Robert Day started with HEA. Tina Day said her family had worried about making the transition to a small town and being accepted. People welcomed her family with open arms, she said.

"I love this community. This has been such an amazing experience, a great job," Day said. "I don't think it's easy to be a newcomer to town and get involved in as many things as I have and my husband has."

When she announced her resignation, the first question everyone asked was, "Are you staying?" Day said.

"Absolutely we're staying," she said. "We love it here and want to be a part of it and see Homer succeed."

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong.@homernews.com.