James Finley is stepping down in March as executive director and chief executive officer of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. Finley has been with CCM since 1979, taking over as CEO in 2006.

“Deciding to retire from CCM after 34 years was not an easy decision but it is the right one,” Finley wrote Monday to Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, who is president of CCM. “As I indicated to CCM leadership in the fall, I had been contemplating whether or not to take new professional paths. It is time for me to recharge my batteries professionally and look for new challenges and opportunities.”

Finley, 58, will leave the organization March 13.