John Griffin on Tuesday announced his resignation as publishing president of National Geographic and as executive VP of the National Geographic Society.

Griffin is being succeeded by Declan Moore, president of National Geographic International.

At the same time, Claudia Malley, who has been overseeing Nat Geo's publishing sales and marketing in the US has been promoted to executive VP and worldwide publisher of National Geographic Global Media.

Nat Geo Global Media president Tim Kelly praised the outgoing publishing president for delivering "strong financial results while always supporting the National Geographic mission".

Griffin had been at the helm since 2001. Prior to that, he was president of Rodale's magazine division from 1990 to 2000, before serving briefly as Hearst Magazines International COO, Min Online reports.

He just ended a two-year stint as chairman of the board of directors of the trade body Magazine Publishers of America (now MPA -- Association of Magazine Media).