LEWISTON — The New Beginnings board of directors announces Chris Bicknell has been selected as the agency’s next executive director. He will begin his duties the second week of August.

There will be an open house in September at the Ann Geiger Center for New Beginnings for members of the community to meet and welcome him.

Bicknell comes to New Beginnings from Opportunity Alliance in Portland, where he most recently served as the director of access and intake. He has more than 25 years of experience in the human services field as a consultant, trainer and presenter about working with high-risk youth, restorative justice, youth employment, harm reduction and trauma-informed care.

A founding member of the Maine Homeless Youth Providers Network, he coordinated Preble Street Teen Services in Portland for more than nine years, and was instrumental in the design and opening of its $4.5 million Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter in 2012. A passionate advocate for youth and creativity, he has a master’s degree in art therapy and has served as volunteer with the Telling Room in Portland.