The Buckhead Business Association found a familiar face when seeking a new executive director.

Jennifer Thomas, who worked for the organization as a volunteer assistant/intern from October 2009 until March, was hired last week after a 45-day search process. She replaces Sharon Silva, who at the end of May resigned after five years of service to focus on personal and family life. Ms. Thomas will start her new job today, one day before turning 31.

“I’m really excited about it,” she said of the position. “I think there’s a lot of possibilities for growth. There’s potential for new members and new sponsors. I think there’s ways for members to get even more involved in the community. I’m just thrilled to be a part of that.”

Ms. Thomas, who was one of two finalists for the job, had worked as a sales representative at La Raine’s Bridal Boutique in Virginia-Highland from July 2009 until taking on the new role. The search committee liked the fact that she had corporate experience, having served as a public affairs and government relations specialist for Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. from 2004 to 2008.

Elizabeth Gill, the association’s 2009 president and the owner and president of Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Express Employment Professionals’ Buckhead office, led the search’s first phase. About 200 people applied for the position, and Ms. Gill and Express conducted interviews, background checks, drug testing, credit checks and reference checks. The list was then whittled down to 10 semifinalists, who went before the association’s ad-hoc committee, a panel of six people comprised of board members and officers, for the second round of interviews. Then, on June 21, the two finalists gave a presentation to the organiztion’s full board before the choice was made.

“Honestly, we thought she was the most qualified candidate of those interviewed who made it through the process. She had both the marketing experience as well as administrative experience to really take the BBA to the next level with the goals we’ve set for corporate sponsorship and community involvement,” said association president Heather Wright. She added the fact that Ms. Thomas is a Buckhead resident and familiar with both the community and the organization which helped make her stand out as a candidate.

Founded in 1951, the association has more than 400 members. In addition to growing the nonprofit, Ms. Thomas said she plans to inject some new ideas into it.

“I want to expand where they started with the Education Alliance and move that past just education,” she said. “It’s wonderful what they’re doing at Garden Hills Elementary and North Atlanta High. I want to look at community charities. I think there are ways members can get even more involved in the community, and BBA can spearhead some of that.”

Ms. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia in 2001. She and her husband Jared live in Buckhead’s Castlewood neighborhood. Ms. Thomas enjoys running, reading and watching Georgia football games in her spare time.