Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel, has been its lead maintainer since its inception in 1991. That's a long way back now, and in the man's own words, the kernel community is "getting grey and old." Interestingly enough, though, it was only few days ago that a formal plan was drawn to replace Torvalds, should he wish to retire or something happens to him, or whoever else may be in charge.
The contingency plan now in place is fairly simple, and only triggered if there's not a graceful transition when the occasion arises. Should there be a need for it, the kernel community will first find an Organizer, who is the last Maintainer Summit organizer, or the current Linux Foundation Technical Advisory Board Chair (TAB).
