DFW AIRPORT (CBSDFW.COM) – Longtime Dallas Fort Worth International Airport CEO Jeffery Fegan has announced he will retire effective September 1, 2013.

The chairman of the DFW Airport Committee accepted his intention of retirement during a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday morning.

Fegan is considered a key leader in the airports growth during his 19 years as CEO, and 28 years working in various capacities for the airport.

“It’s time to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders,” Fegan told the committee when he announced his intention to retire.

Fegan says he looks forward to spending time with family and friends and watching the airport’s future growth from his kitchen table, rather than the desk in his office. After his announcement committee members widely praised the 58-year-old Fegan for his performance, calling him a man of vision, patience and leadership.

DFW is the highest capacity and fourth-busiest airport in the world. Currently the facility is in the midst of a seven-year, $2.3 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) to modernize older terminals. In a press release statement Fegan said, “The strategy is in place, the course set, and momentum is strong to achieve results which will carry DFW Airport into the future,” Fegan stated and added, “This seems to be the right time to pass the baton to the next generation of leadership.

Fegan was appointed Chief Executive Officer of DFW Airport Board in 1994, but has been with the airport for 28 years. Prior to taking the CEO position Fegan was Deputy Executive Director of Finance and Administration.

An ad hoc committee has been appointed to begin the search for Fegan’s replacement.

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