The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society’s five-month search for a new executive director is over.

OPHS’s board of directors recently approved the hiring of Luanne Hinkle, a veteran of several nonprofit, director-level positions.

Hinkle relocated to Clallam County in June and will oversee the daily operations, services and programs of the animal shelter that has a 70-plus-year history on the Olympic Peninsula.

“I am thrilled to help lead this agency whose caring and compassion has provided hope and forever-homes to the over 2,000 animals that come through their doors year over year,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle, who has led major fundraising and program development during her tenure of executive-level experience for San Diego County’s Meals on Wheels, one of the largest in the nation.

In her new position, Hinkle hopes to continue to build out the Humane Society’s new, 9-acre home at 1737 Old Olympic Highway between Sequim and Port Angeles.

“I was very impressed to find that OPHS incurred absolutely no debt in the process of acquiring acreage, building the ‘Bark House’ and renovating the modular buildings for the Society’s new location,” Hinkle said. “It shows the commitment the community has to provide a safe haven for lost, homeless, abused or abandoned pets.

“Caring volunteers, donors and staff save lives of these often forgotten animals every day and place them in loving homes, where they deserve to be. And, new funding we hope to acquire in the future will help OPHS provide even more services.”

OPHS’s board of directors took their time in finding the right fit for the position, the organization said in a press release last week.

“With Luanne’s extensive experience in senior executive-level positions in both non-profit and for profit arenas, along with her strategic planning and fundraising expertise, we knew we had finally found the right person to guide us to the next level,” OPHS board chair Linda Crow said.

Hinkle said she intends to be engaged in the community on many levels, meeting with donors, community leaders and business owners alike.

“I feel very fortunate to live in this beautiful area and intend to meet as many new friends of the society as possible,” she said. “Together, we will continue to build on and maintain the mission of OPHS, to love and care for the animals.”

Reach Hinkle at lhinkle@ophumanesociety.org or 360-457-8206.

The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society shelters care for animals of all types. No animals are turned away and about 3,000 animals pass through the doors of the facility each year, organization officials say.

A private, non-profit corporation, OPHS is financed primarily by private donations and gifts.

For more information, or to volunteer, call 360-457- 8206 or visit www.ophumanesociety.org.