News
Preservation Society of Charleston Executive Director Kristopher B. King Sworn in as New ACHP Member
Press Release
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Chairman Aimee Jorjani today welcomed new Expert Member Kristopher B. King of South Carolina, swearing him in to a term ending in June 2024. President Donald J. Trump appointed King to the ACHP.
“Kristopher is an impassioned advocate for historic preservation within one of the nation’s most historically significant architectural gems. We look forward to him bringing that same passion from South Carolina to the national stage as an expert member of the ACHP,” Chairman Jorjani said. “He has a lifetime of knowledge in many aspects of historic preservation, including development, as well as educating the next generation of preservationists, which will contribute greatly to the ACHP’s mission.”
“As a preservationist working in Charleston, SC I have seen firsthand the long-term community value created by thoughtful, preservation-minded decisions, as well as the negative effects that growth can have on historic resources and communities,” King said. “I hope to bring my practical, real world experience in development and preservation to support the critically important work of the ACHP. I hope that I can help spur enhanced engagement with federal agencies and a deepened focus on how the work of preservation can better serve the people and communities that need our support. Many historic communities are feeling the pressure of development and growth. I hope that my experience and commitment to collaboration can help advance the work of preservation.”
King has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Trinity College in Connecticut, and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as executive director of the Preservation Society of Charleston. In addition, he is an adjunct professor in historic preservation at Clemson University and the College of Charleston.
King’s past experience includes managing one of the largest preservation easement programs in the country and working in real estate development on projects from Georgia to New York with a focus on historic buildings, green buildings, and infill projects. He has developed energy efficiency programs and measures for historic structures and consulted on numerous preservation projects. He also is a certified Building Analyst with the Building Performance Institute.
King has served on the board of the Charleston Civic Design Center, and as a member of the Charleston Tourism Committee, Charleston Short Term Rental Committee, and the Charleston Green Committee. He also is a past president of the board of the Preservation Society of Charleston.
King replaces Luis Hoyos as an expert member on the ACHP. Hoyos, a Los Angeles County architect and professor of architecture at the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, where he teaches historic preservation and urban design, served on the ACHP from 2016-2020.
“Luis has been an active and valuable member of the ACHP, contributing greatly over the last four years to our work in historic preservation,” Chairman Jorjani said. “We thank him for his years of distinguished service. We know we will continue our friendship and be able to count on him to serve as a resource for the ACHP.”
The National Historic Preservation Act provides that appointed expert and general public members shall serve for a term of four years and under that law, may not serve more than two terms.
About the ACHP: An independent federal agency, the ACHP promotes the economic, educational, environmental, sustainability, and cultural values of historic preservation and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy. It also influences federal activities, programs, and policies that affect historic and cultural properties. See www.achp.gov for more information.