When 2025 ends and 2026 begins, the PIAA will enter a new era of leadership.

Robert Lombardi announced his retirement as the governing body’s executive director on Wednesday and added that Mark Byers, currently the assistant executive director, will become executive director.

Asked why he made the decision now, Lombardi gave a succinct answer.

“In five weeks, I will be 70 years old, and this is a young man’s and a young woman’s business,” Lombardi said. “We have a tremendously capable staff. They don’t need an old fart like me hanging around and getting in the way. It’s really that simple.”

Lombardi, a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and Western Wayne High School in District 2, was appointed as the PIAA’s seventh executive director in March 2012 after the retirement of Brad Cas

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