By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – City officials are searching for the next director of Lambert Airport. Leonard Griggs announced Monday he'll retire at the end of the year.
Griggs says he's leaving December 31st to spend more time with his family and to allow the city more time to find a successor.
Mayor Francis Slay made it clear that the successor will not be his brother. Gerard Slay has been deputy airport director for nearly five years.
"My brother, who as you know is deputy airport director, is not up for the position, either for interim director or permanent director," Slay said. "He understands that. It's not going to happen."
Griggs first served as director from 1977 to 1987. He worked at the FAA for several years before Mayor Freeman Bosley Junior re-hired him in 1993.
Former Sara Lee CEO Barry Beracha is heading up the search for a new director.