Historic Wilmington Foundation has a new executive director.

Beth Rutledge, who has a 20-year marketing and copywriting background, will assume the HWF leadership role Dec. 18, according to a news release Monday.

Rutledge will replace George Edwards, who announced his retirement earlier this year after leading the historic preservation organization since 2004.

Rutledge, who was selected after a nationwide search, most recently worked on program development at the nonprofit Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, launching its education program and Old Home Certified, a regional Realtor designation, the release said.

She is currently a member of the HWF Board of Trustees, chairs HWF’s History’s Future committee and volunteers at Legacy Architectural Salvage.
 
"We're thrilled to have Beth Rutledge as the next Executive Director,” stated Walker Abney, president of the HWF Board of Trustees, in the release. “Beth is a long-time preservationist, with both an understanding of HWF's legacy as well as fresh ideas for the future of the organization. It's an exciting time for the Foundation."