diff --git a/OWNERS b/OWNERS
index bd345525..898ba88d 100644
--- a/OWNERS
+++ b/OWNERS
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 approvers:
   - caesarxuchao
   - deads2k
-  - lavalamp
   - liggitt
   - smarterclayton
   - sttts
@@ -14,10 +13,11 @@ reviewers:
   - caesarxuchao
   - deads2k
   - jpbetz
-  - lavalamp
   - liggitt
   - soltysh
   - sttts
   - yliaog
 labels:
   - sig/api-machinery
+emeritus_approvers:
+  - lavalamp
diff --git a/tools/cache/OWNERS b/tools/cache/OWNERS
index 726205b3..921ac2fa 100644
--- a/tools/cache/OWNERS
+++ b/tools/cache/OWNERS
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 approvers:
   - thockin
-  - lavalamp
   - smarterclayton
   - wojtek-t
   - deads2k
@@ -11,7 +10,6 @@ approvers:
   - ncdc
 reviewers:
   - thockin
-  - lavalamp
   - smarterclayton
   - wojtek-t
   - deads2k
@@ -26,3 +24,5 @@ reviewers:
   - dims
   - ingvagabund
   - ncdc
+emeritus_approvers:
+  - lavalamp