Rick Cotton, who has led the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for nearly a decade, announced on Monday that he will retire come January.

Cotton, 81, has been Port Authority's executive director since 2017 — serving the longest of anyone in that position since the 1940s, according to the agency. During his tenure, Cotton has overseen major infrastructure projects at all three New York City-area airports, including the rebuilding of LaGuardia Airport; the construction of a new terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport; and the start of redevelopment at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

His successor will be revealed "in due course," and will work with Cotton on transitioning into the role, the agency said.

Cotton, in a statement, said that he and Port Authority Chair

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