RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls has a new president.

Claiborne S. Mason, who served as interim chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, has been named to the post.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/QqHaxJ) Mason is the first woman to serve as president of the nonprofit home and school for children in 165 years.

She succeeds Chris Schultz, who left the organization in 2011.

The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls includes six group homes, an alternative education school, a fellowship hall and offices for therapeutic and medical services.

The organization provides a home for more than 50 boys and girls ages 11 to 17 each year. About 60 children attend its alternative education program for grades 6 to 12.