CUMBERLAND — After seven months, board members of the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority have named Renee Bone the new executive director.

Andy Vick, chairman of the board, said he is thrilled Bone has accepted the board’s offer.

“She has been doing an outstanding job for Canal Place over the past seven months and I can’t think of a better person to lead us forward as we enter the next phase of our development,” Vick said.

Board member Kathy McKenney is also excited to have Bone fill the position.

“Renee brings years of experience working for the state of Maryland and her background in economic development, as well as her understanding of the local, state and federal resources and processes, which is very important,” McKenney said. “She has already made so many positive developments over the last several months in a spirit of cooperation between the board and the local community partners.”

Bone is happy to have been offered the position and is ready for the job.

“It’s exciting, we’ve really been working diligently the last several months to continue moving Canal Place forward in a positive direction and building on the foundation here,” Bone said. “I’m really excited about the progress we’ve already made and all of the possibilities for the future.”

Bone said the next big step for Canal Place will be the board orientation and visioning day, a day to brainstorm and begin talking about future plans for Canal Place and the heritage area.

“We’re excited about the possibility of the boat yard and the idea of expanding the heritage area in the community,” she said. “We’ll also be updating the management plan, which was last updated in July 2002. So it’s time to do that and it’s an opportune time for this with having a new board and executive director and to take a look and set a course for the next several years.”

Bone, 35, was born in Cumberland and raised in Allegany and Garrett counties. A graduate of Beall High School, she continued her education at Frostburg State University. After college, Bone began working for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and spent more than four years as a regional development representative, helping existing businesses to succeed and, if possible, expand.

On May 20, Bone was appointed as acting executive director by Gov. Martin O’Malley. Having been in the area for more than 30 years, she seemed to be the right person to fill the position. Now having accepted the position permanently, Bone is ready to take on the task and look toward the future.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.