Sandra S. (Sandi) Byrd, ACFRE, has joined the American Camellia Society as Executive Director.

The American Camellia Society (ACS) is a national membership organization dedicated to fostering appreciation for and knowledge of plants of the genus Camellia. Founded in 1945, the Society is now headquartered at Massee Lane Gardens in Central Georgia.

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sandi to ACS," said Deane Hall, Chair of the Search Committee. "She is uniquely qualified to help ACS move forward as we prepare to take new initiatives to increase our membership, raise more funds, and serve the Camellia world more effectively."

Prior to joining ACS, Sandi was the Vice President of Development for Presbyterian Homes & Family Services, an organization that cares for at-risk youth and adults with mental retardation.

Sandi and her husband, Dick, are actually returning to Georgia having lived in the state for over 20 years. During most of the 90's, she was Senior Vice President of Communications and Development for Habitat for Humanity International and prior to that Development Director for Callaway Gardens.

While at Callaway Gardens, she served for two years as Chairman of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta (now the American Public Garden Association) Development Committee.

"I particularly enjoyed my time at Callaway Gardens because it was a time of great change and excitement. I was hired to complete the capital campaign that built the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, added enhancements to the bike trails and renovated the Chapel, said Byrd. I stayed on afterwards as Development Director. Dick and I still have many friends in Georgia"

During her career, Sandi has served a variety of other organizations, including America's Second Harvest, Easter Seals, American Lung Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Sandi is a member of the National Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for America's Charities. Founded to facilitate participation in employee-giving campaigns at work, America's Charities has distributed nearly $400 million to its members and other charities since 1980.

Sandi and her husband Dick are both natives of Memphis, Tennessee, where they attended the University of Memphis. After more than 35 years in television news and production, Dick has his own video production company, Dick Byrd Productions. While in Virginia, he spent many of his free hours as a volunteer staff member for the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Sandi and Dick are also Life Members of the Great Smoky Mountains Association and the American Camellia Society.