In a news release, the Atlanta History Center board of trustees announced Sheffield Hale has been selected as its new president and CEO, effective March 19. He replaces Sal Cilella, who in September announced his forthcoming retirement.

Hale will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the center’s operation, while leading the organization through key transformations, including a $27 million capital campaign.

The native Atlantan brings a lifelong passion for history to his new position, and has been involved with the center as a volunteer for the past 25 years, and an active board member from 1997-2010. He has served as chair of the board (2004-06), and been involved with a variety of committees, including the capital campaign committee that raised $31 million for the restoration of Swan House and Smith Family Farm, renovation of the Kenan Research Center and the construction of the John Fentener van Vlissingen wing, which houses the Centennial Olympic Games Museum.

“The Atlanta History Center has been a part of my family, and my passion, for a long time,” Hale said. “I have enjoyed working with the board and staff as the History Center has transformed itself over the past decade.”

Over the last 10 years, the center has expanded the Kenan Research Center to provide enhanced free public access to the archives and library, improved the gardens and grounds on the 33-acre Buckhead campus, added the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown to its operations, built the Centennial Olympic Games Museum and completed extensive award-winning restorations of the Swan House and Smith Family Farm.

“As we look to the History Center’s future, we want to strengthen our presence in the community, and the state, as a major cultural institution,” Hale said. “Our region is growing and our audiences are changing. We must adapt and transform our visitor experience for all ages, cultures, and learning styles to tell a more complete history of our city and meet the needs of the growing Atlanta metropolitan area in the decades to come.”

“Our vision is to connect people, history and culture and I believe we are poised to create an institution that will successfully accomplish that vision under Hale’s leadership,” said Bill Shearer, chairman of the center’s board of trustees.

Since 2002, Hale has served as chief counsel for the American Cancer Society, the largest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Before his tenure there, he was an associate (1986-1994) and partner (1994-2002) with Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.

An executive search committee worked with Boardwalk Consulting in a nationwide search.

“We interviewed a variety of candidates ranging from museum professionals to corporate business executives,” said David Lanier, chair of the search committee.