By Associated Press
Montgomery AL – A historic preservationist from Georgia is the new executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission.
Commission Chairman James "Ike" Adams announced Thursday the commission has hired Frank W. White to serve as executive director.
The position pays $125,000 annually, said Tara Lanier, spokeswoman for the state agency.
White previously worked for 11 years at the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, where he served as director of the endangered properties revolving fund. In that job, he promoted the rehabilitation of historically significant sites.
White replaces John Neubauer, who stepped down in September for health reasons.
White received his bachelor's degree in architecture from Auburn University and completed the advanced management development program at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
He has worked for John Portman & Associates, where he coordinated the architecture and construction of the 1.5 million-square-foot Brussels International Trade Mart in Brussels, Belgium. He also served as the architect's onsite representative for 3D/International during the construction of the Hyatt Hotel in Karachi, Pakistan.
"The wealth of talent and experience he brings bodes well for the commission. I am confident our mission to preserve Alabama's historic places is in good hands under the stewardship of Mr. White," Adams said in a statement.
The executive director is hired by the appointed commission and oversees the commission's staff and the historic sites operated by the commission.