David Graybill, president and CEO of Tacoma Pierce County Chamber since September 1983, has announced his pending retirement.

The move came 27 years to the day of his hiring to lead the largest business organization in Pierce County. Graybill says he will stay in his post through Dec. 31, 2010, to assist the board of directors in finding his replacement.

As would be expected for the community's No.1 booster, Graybill and his wife plan to stay in the area after retirement. He said he will be looking for opportunities to continue serving others, whether in paid or volunteer efforts.

During Graybill's leadership, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was the only local business organization in the region to achieve the U. S. Chamber's top "5 Star" rating.

The chamber's chair-elect, Michael Hansch, is expected to form a search committee in the organized effort to replace the group's staff leader.