Ransom S. Moore, executive director of the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority, will retire effective March 1, 2016.

Moore told the authority of his decision during the regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday.

"After 32 years of service to the state of Georgia, I am honored to have worked with such an amazing group of leaders and teammates," Moore said in a statement. "As I reflect on my time spent at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, I realize it has been extremely satisfying to be part of a team which excelled during very challenging economic conditions. I am fully confident the authority and staff will continue to enjoy success as the program moves forward. I am looking forward to new challenges and achieving new goals during future endeavors."

The authority will be conducting a nationwide search for the new executive director.