ELKHART — Clyde Riley, a longtime educator, has been hired by the city to manage the Tolson Center.

Riley replaces Charlotte Applewhite, who resigned her position with the youth center at the end of 2012.

In making the announcement, Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore said Riley brings 38 years of experience to the job.

“Mr. Riley brings a great deal of experience working with children to the Tolson Center as the focus remains on education, physical activities, and improving social and interpersonal skills,” Moore said.

Riley worked for five years in the Marion Community Schools system as a teacher, coach and assistant dean before beginning 33 years of work with the Elkhart Community School district as an administrator and principal.

Riley will begin work Tuesday.

Applewhite worked for the city since 2006, when she was hired as the special events director for the parks department. In early 2008 she assumed the role of manager of the Tolson Center.