CEDAR RAPIDS - Friday the president and C-E-O of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee Clancey, announced she will step down from that job on September first. But Clancey isn't just leaving her post at the chamber, she's leaving behind a legacy of leadership in Cedar Rapids. She was the city's first female mayor. She was also the first executive director of the downtown district. Now Clancey says it's simply time to slow down.

After three decades in the Cedar Rapids spotlight, Lee Clancey is ready to pass the torch. Letting go of her leadership role really wasn't a tough decision. Thoughts of retirement sprouted a few months ago, but Clancey says the seed was planted last June, when she was diagnosed with skin cancer.

"Boy that sits you back on your heels. It makes you think about how much time you have left and what you want to do with it," says Clancey.

What Clancey wants to do now is simply sit back and relax...move from the forefront to the background. And enjoy time with her husband and three adult sons in California. Because this 59-year-old mom has her health back.

"I had my year check-up yesterday and I'm cancer free, that was a good day," says Clancey.

And now is a good time to step down. She will leave behind a legacy of leadership highlighted with success, including the chamber's push for the School Infrastructure Local Option Sales Tax in Linn County.

"We as the community and the county will realize the benefits of that campaign for years perhaps decades to come," says Clancey.

And that was Clancey's goal from the get-go, making positive, permanent changes in Cedar Rapids. And that is why this leader can say goodbye with a smile.

Clancey's last day is September 1, unless the chamber has not hired a strong replacement by then. In that case, Clancey says she will stay in her position as long as the end of the year.