Bob Kanaby, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations since March 1993, has announced his plans to retire, effective in May 2010.

Kanaby informed the NFHS Board of Directors of his retirement plans at the regularly scheduled Board meeting last week in Indianapolis. The Board will formulate a timetable for identifying Kanaby’s successor in the coming weeks.

Kanaby is the fourth full-time executive director to lead the Indianapolis-based national leadership organization for high school athletic and fine arts activities, following H.V. Porter (1940-58), Clifford Fagan (1958-77) and Brice Durbin (1977-93).

“I have been honored to have had the opportunity to promote the core values and purposes of education-based athletics and activities,” Kanaby said. “It has been a journey filled with countless blessings and positive memories associated with young adults and those dedicated individuals who serve them.”

Since joining the NFHS 16 years ago, Kanaby has been instrumental in creating a stronger national presence of the organization throughout the country. Behind Kanaby’s leadership, the NFHS is currently in its fifth three-year strategic plan focusing on national presence, as well as financial and organizational issues.

In recent years, the education of high school coaches and an ongoing mission to protect and promote a positive, education-based culture in high school sports and activities have been among his top priorities. In January 2007, the NFHS started its own Coach Education Program, and more than 90,000 coaches have already taken the core course, “Fundamentals of Coaching.”