Community Corner

Sheffield Hale Selected to Lead Atlanta History Center

New president, CEO's agenda includes $27 million capital campaign

From Patch Reports

Sheffield Hale has been named president and CEO of the , the Buckhead organization announced Friday.

The History Center's Board of Trustees selected Hale, whose appointment is effective March 19. A native Atlantan, Hale will be responsible for all aspects of the History Center's operations, while "leading the organization through key transformations, including a $27 million capital campaign," the announcement said.

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Since 2002, Hale has served as chief counsel for the American Cancer Society.  Before his tenure with the Cancer Society, he was an associate (1986-1994) and partner (1994-2002) with Kilpatrick Stockton LLP. He will replace who announced his retirement in September.

Over the last 10 years, the History 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.

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“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 in a statement. “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.”

Built in 1993, the Atlanta History Museum at the Atlanta History Center is the focus of the capital campaign. 

"Through the creation of a bold new exhibition that will redefine Atlanta’s story for the 21st century audiences, and the improvement of event facilities and amenities, the new visitor experience will incorporate new perspectives, engage new audiences, and welcome everyone to be a part of the Atlanta History Center experience," the History Center's announcement said.

Bill Shearer, chairman of the History Center board of trustees, said in a statement, “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.”

Hale brings a lifelong passion for history to his new position and has been involved with the Atlanta History 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 (2004-2006), 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."

An executive search committee worked with Boardwalk Consulting in a nationwide search, the organization said.

“We interviewed a variety of candidates ranging from museum professionals to corporate business executives,” said David Lanier, chair of the search committee. “Sheffield has shown great nonprofit leadership at the American Cancer Society, he has a deep appreciation and respect of Atlanta’s history, he lives his passion for history every day through his community involvement, and he will be able to provide leadership to an organization that is positioned for a period of tremendous growth.”

Hale serves on the boards of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the University of Georgia Foundation, the Robert W. Woodruff Library of Atlanta University Center, Atlanta Landmarks Inc., and Central Atlanta Progress.

Previous community involvement includes the Georgia Historical Society Board of Curators and chair of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Hale has also served on the boards of the Joel Chandler Harris Association, Historic Oakland Foundation (Oakland Cemetery), the Atlanta Preservation Center and Emory University Board of Visitors.

During his time at the American Cancer Society, Hale has been an advocate, and published author, on the importance of best practices and utilizing transparency to improve nonprofit management. He will continue to incorporate the same principles in his new role at the History Center, the announcement said.


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