AMHERST — Gene T. Jones, an education consultant from Virginia, was named principal of Amherst-Pelham Regional High School Thursday morning.

Jones was selected for the position from among three finalists and will start on July 1. He succeeds Mark Jackson, who retired abruptly in the fall.

Jones, 59, lives in Chesterfield, Virginia, and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He works as an education consultant in Virginia, according to his resume provided by Amherst school officials. Jones signed a three-year contract Thursday and will be paid an annual salary of $138,000, according to the school district.

Weymouth High School Principal Alan Strauss and ARHS interim dean Shannon Magee were the two other finalists.

Jones previously worked as the director of teaching and learning for the Petersburg City Public Schools in Virginia. Prior to that, he served as principal at public high schools in Philadelphia and Syracuse, New York.

“I just can’t wait to get started,” Jones said in a phone interview Thursday. “I’m humbled by this opportunity.”