The PIAA announced Wednesday executive director Dr. Robert Lombardi will retire effective Dec. 31.

After joining the PIAA staff in 1988, Lombardi served as assistant executive director and associate executive director before moving into his current position in 2012.

For the last 13 years, Dr. Lombardi has handled Bylaw interpretations, strategic planning, fiscal management, office operations, the PIAA Foundation and legislative affairs.

“On behalf of the entire PIAA Board of Directors, I want to thank Dr. Lombardi for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to student-athletes and interscholastic athletics,” said Frank Majikes, PIAA Board President in a press release. “Dr. Lombardi’s positive influence on PIAA and his mentorship of countless colleagues has been invaluable. We wish him a joyous and well-deserved retirement.”

Mark Byers, the PIAA’s current chief operating officer, will take over as executive director Jan. 1.