The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new leader for its economic development efforts.

Debi Moore, the chamber’s senior vice president for economic development, resigned Wednesday from the position she’d held since late 1999. The chamber’s board accepted her resignation, effective today.

In her resignation letter, Moore cited health concerns as her reason for leaving the 1,300-member group, the city’s largest business organization. Moore had worked for 25 years at the chamber, starting in 1976 as a receptionist.

A national search for her replacement will begin immediately, said Bill Sepic, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer. He said he hoped to have an experienced, self-motivated, consensus-building, strong-willed job creator hired by Aug. 1.

“I’ve pretty much outlined that I want God himself, but that’s not practical or realistic,” Sepic said. “But we want somebody good.”

Moore leaves as head of a three-person department that leads job-creation efforts in Lawrence and Douglas County. The department’s nearly $300,000 annual budget is financed by the chamber and city and county governments.

Sepic credited Moore’s work in helping convince DST Systems to take over the former home of Sallie Mae, as well as drawing HP Pelzer to open in Eudora. She also helped Reuter Organ relocate from downtown to a new home, and worked to retain Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

“Oftentimes those who work behind the scenes don’t receive the credit they deserve,” Sepic said in a statement.

Not mentioned in the statement was the chamber’s inability to close a deal for bringing a $45 million American Eagle Outfitters Inc. distribution center to the East Hills Business Park. The project was Moore’s first major victory as head of economic development, but the deal collapsed in September 2000 as public opposition mounted to its anticipated massive tax abatement, development of farm land and creation of low-wage jobs.

Sepic did not disclose Moore’s medical condition. Moore was unavailable for comment Wednesday night.