The Community Bicycle Center board of directors announced Monday that Bronwyn Potthoff Barnett will take over as executive director of the Biddeford nonprofit.

Barnett, who previously was development and communications director for the bicycle center, will replace founding director Andy Greif, who is moving to New Mexico this fall. Barnett will take over as executive director on Aug. 1.

The Community Bicycle Center serves 400 Biddeford children each year through free bicycle-related activities. Participants – many as young as 9 or 10 – learn how to repair and build bikes, go on group rides, make art with bicycle parts and work closely with volunteers and other adults in the community.

Greif started the city’s first Earn-a-Bike program in 2001 and later created the Community Bicycle Center to help youths develop life skills through bicycle activities. The center emphasizes mentoring relationships, civic engagement and safe cycling skills. Under his leadership, the bicycle center added programs and expanded from a small workshop to a 4,200-square-foot building.

Barnett was the center’s development and communications director from 2011 to 2014. She more recently served as coordinator of grants and outreach at the University of New England.

“Bronwyn’s commitment to the Community Bicycle Center has never wavered, and we are excited for her to be leading us into our next phase. Bronwyn has the vision, passion and commitment to bring the CBC to new heights,” Leanne Kazilionis, president of the board of directors, said in a prepared statement. “We are fortunate to have her skills, knowledge and drive as she assumes leadership from our founding director, Andy Greif. She can seamlessly build upon his vision and ensure that we continue with our outstanding programming as we serve the community of Biddeford and beyond.”

Barnett said one of her first objectives is to evaluate the progress made toward the center’s 2013-16 Strategic Plan in preparation for the organization’s 2017-20 strategic planning process.

“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact CBC has on young folks and the community at-large, and I’ve always been excited about the potential of this organization,” she said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to critically assessing where we’re at as an organization and working with the board, staff and key stakeholders to map out an effective plan for moving forward.”

Gillian Graham can be contacted at 791-6315 or at:

ggraham@pressherald.com

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