From a New York Times story by Katie Robertson headlined “NPR CEO to Retire at Year’s End”:

NPR’s chief executive, John Lansing, said that he would retire at the end of the year, ending a rocky four years atop the public broadcaster.

In an email to the staff, Mr. Lansing said that he had informed the board of his decision in May, and that NPR was now in the early stages of a national search for his successor. He said that he had made the decision to retire after discussions with his wife, Jean.