Des Moines native Arthur Coppola will retire at the end of the year as chairman and CEO of California-based Macerich Co., a shopping center owner and operator that traces its development history to a strip mall in Ames. Arthur and his brother Edward are credited with being co-founders of Macerich, which became a publicly traded company in 1994. Edward Coppola has been president since 2008. Macerich owns Southridge Mall in Des Moines, and Arthur, Edward and brother Michael Coppola, leader of Coppola Enterprises Inc., remain active in Greater Des Moines real estate development. Their father, Edward, co-founded Echo Valley Country Club. Macerich went public in 1994 and three years ago warded off a hostile takeover from Simon Property Group. Local businessmen Jim Cownie and Fred Hubbell have served on the Macerich board. According to the release, Arthur Coppola will not stand for re-election as a director of the company. The board, led by its independent directors, has begun the process of finding a new CEO.