CULLMAN, Ala. – Following an extensive search, the Childhaven, Inc. Board of Directors is excited to announce that Gary Hicks MA, LPC has been named as Childhaven’s next executive director. Hicks will assume his duties Aug. 1, with his first day in the office being Monday, Aug. 3. He will succeed Dr. Jim Wright, who will assume Emeritus status and will remain in an advisory role prior to retiring at year’s end.
Hicks is highly qualified to step into this leadership role. He is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Amridge University, and his Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Amridge University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He currently serves as the clinical coordinator for the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center. Prior to that, he served as a program coordinator for the Northwest Alabama Mental Health (Adam Bishop) Center. He has received extensive training beyond his graduate degree in a variety of professional areas and is knowledgeable of the complexities and impact that trauma has in the lives of individuals. Hicks has extensive professional experience working with abused and traumatized children and their families.
Bro. Hicks is also a man of the church, having preached part-time for the past nine years for the Pleasant Hill Church of Christ. He is well-respected within the church community, often being invited to speak on child abuse issues both at the congregational level and in conference settings such as the annual “Polishing the Pulpit” conference. He has also served churches in Castleberry, Alabama and in New Johnsonville, Tennessee. Hicks looks forward to meeting many of Childhaven’s supporting churches in the weeks and months ahead.
Wright said he is very pleased with this choice, stating, “I could not be more pleased with the board’s choice! Gary Hicks brings so many skills to Childhaven: knowledge from working daily within the child welfare system, broad clinical experience, informed in the principles of trauma informed care, and a churchman! I am looking forward to assisting him through the remainder of this year.”
Please join all of the Childhaven family in praying daily for our new leader, Gary Hicks.
