Dan Kavanagh, who’s been executive director of Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission for the past 25 years, has announced that he is retiring, effective Monday.

Kavanagh made his announcement during the Jan. 20 MPPDC meeting in Saluda. He said he is retiring from MPPDC both to enjoy a bit more time with his family as well as to devote more time to two unrelated business ventures that he’s been involved with for some time.

Kavanagh, 62, said simply "it is time" when asked why he surprised the commission with his announcement. "I’ve had a wonderful time." He added that he will continue to reside in Deltaville.

Among major accomplishments the commission has taken during his term as executive director, Kavanagh said, are setting up the Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority, which has taken steps to improve what had been shrinking public access points to Chesapeake Bay waters; support for the Middle Peninsula Regional Airport, located n...