The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation has hired Tommy Valentine as its new executive director.

Valentine replaces Amy Kissane, who left in March after 16 years leading the historic preservation nonprofit. David Bryant had been serving as interim director.

“We are excited to have Tommy join our team as the Heritage Foundation enters a new era,” ACHF board President Kim Klonowski said in a news release. “Tommy knows this county, he knows nonprofits and he has put forth a vision for our organization that is firmly in line with where the board believes we should go.” 

Valentine graduated from Cedar Shoals High School and the University of Georgia with a political science degree. He is currently a PhD candidate in public administration at UGA and most recently served as volunteer coordinator for the nonprofit Extra Special People. Active in local housing, planning and other policy issues for the past several years, he also ran for Athens-Clarke County Commission, but lost to Ovita Thornton in May.

He and his wife, Laura, have an infant daughter, Norah, and live in the Newtown neighborhood.