A familiar face will now lead the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.

Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz on Wednesday announced Spencer native Kelly Alexander would serve as the Transportation Museum’s new executive director. Alexander has served on staff at the museum for more than 25 years.

Before a board meeting at the Transportation Museum, Kluttz detailed the years of work Alexander has added to the museum, and expressed excitement about the museum’s future.

“For years, Kelly Alexander has given dedicated and selfless service to the Transportation Museum, and, over time, has taken on increasingly responsible roles,” Kluttz said. “Her experience starting as a program specialist with the museum to chief operating officer with the foundation have afforded her a unique and comprehensive understanding of how this singular facility needs to grow and serve its visitors.”

Alexander’s grandfather and uncles were engineers for Southern Railway, which owned the N.C. Transportation Museum when it was called the Spencer Shops.

Cultural Resources Deputy Secretary Kevin Cherry, the former interim director of the Transportation Museum, said Alexander would officially start as the museum’s director on Aug. 1.

“The future is looking bright for the museum,” Alexander said. “We have many exciting projects in process and additional ones in the planning stages. There are numerous events planned throughout the year that will bring thousands of visitors to the museum. With everyone working together we will see the museum continue to grow in economic impact and, at the same time, save an important part of our industrial heritage.”

Cherry said Alexander was hired at the end of June.