Petersen museum executive director to retire

The executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum is retiring after a 12-year-run at the helm of one of the nation's preeminent car collections.

Richard Messer is stepping down to concentrate on other business interests. He will be replaced by Buddy Pepp on June 15. The move was announced onWednesday.

“As I approach 70 [years of age], and having given a total of 12 years of full-time attention to the museum, it's time for me to relax a bit and focus on other matters,” Messer said in a statement.

Pepp has been a member of the museum's checkered flag 200 executive committee. He also recently sold his personal business and said the timing was right for him to spend more of his efforts at the Petersen.

By Greg Migliore