Foothills Humane Society recently named Selena Coffey of Fletcher, N.C., as executive director of FHS.

FHS Board of Directors Chair Emily H. Clark said Coffey’s appointment was effective Wednesday, Dec. 7.
“We are thrilled to have Selena join us as our first executive director,” said Clark.
Clark said the organization’s search process was competitive and identified a large number of outstanding candidates from the region and neighboring states.
“Selena brings a unique skill set to the job. She combines an extensive background in administration with a deep passion for improving the lot of all animals. We feel she is the right person to move this organization to the next level,” Clark said.
Coffey spent the past 16 years in public service with Henderson County, most recently as assistant county manager, where she supervised the day-to-day operations of a dozen departments, 750 employees and an annual budget of $112 million.
She said she is especially proud of her work with the county’s animal services department. With its director, Brad Rayfield, she helped shape programs and legislation that protect the health of the animals and the safety of the public.
“I am truly honored to be chosen as the first executive director for Foothills Humane Society. I admire the professionalism and thoughtful selection process that the Foothills Board of Directors has undertaken to advance the organization and sincerely look forward to being a part of the wonderful work that they are doing for the animals, as well as the community,” Coffey said. “This position feels like ‘home’ for me!”
A native of Hayesville, N.C., Coffey is the daughter of Howard and Ruth Coffey. She graduated from Hayesville High School in 1989 and received both her undergraduate and graduate (masters of public affairs) degrees from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C.
Foothills Humane Society, founded in 1957, operates the only open-admission companion animal sheltering organization serving the residents of Polk County and northern Spartanburg and Greenville counties.
In 2010, FHS sheltered more than 1,600 animals with a live-release rate of 98.7 percent.
– article submitted
by Gerda Hook