By: The Kent County Daily Times,
WEST WARWICK — Tides Family Services in West Warwick has announced that Coventry resident Beth Bixby has been appointed as the organization’s new CEO, while Pawtucket resident Brother Michael Reis will become Chief Visionary Officer.
In 2018 Tides is celebrating 35 years of offering valuable services to local communities. Through their offices in West Warwick, Pawtucket/Central Falls, Providence, Woonsocket and now Middletown, Tides provides a variety of services to members of the community such as intensive case management, advocacy, alternative schools, individual, family and group counseling and outreach. They work on social skills development and workforce readiness and can provide much needed interventions for children and families. They serve on average 500 youth and families per day with 140 staff and an $8 million budget.
Bixby, who has been with Tides for 17 years, is only the second person to lead the agency since its creation in 1983. Her appointment as CEO makes her the first female CEO of a youth and family organization in the Lasallian District of Eastern North America.
She received her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Rhode Island and has a Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University. She resides in Coventry with her husband, Joe, and their two children.
During her time with Tides, Bixby has served as a clinical supervisor, director of home-based therapeutic services, assistant vice president and senior vice president of treatment programs. She has served as the Chief Operating Officer since 2015.
In a statement, Bixby said she is proud to continue working with Reis, who started Tides in 1983 as a De LaSalle Christian Brother with $15,000 in seed money. He wanted to found “an agency without walls” where outreach workers and social workers could provide critical services to youth in their homes and schools.
“Brother Michael is a celebrity in the local nonprofit community,” Bixby said. “He’s what we call a ‘Visionary Beyond Borders’ and his passion for Rhode Island’s most vulnerable families guides our every decision. I am thrilled to have him remain in a crucial part of our work as Chief Visionary Officer.”
She said she feels “honored and privileged” to accept the position under Reis’ guidance.
“I have personally seen him break barriers and honor the traditions of the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Saint John Baptist de La Salle,” she said. “I am committed to building off the Christian Brother’s foundation and I am excited to take the organization into its next chapter.”
Bixby is also a member of the Executive Committee of the RI Coalition for Children and Family, a past co-chair of the Membership Practice Committee and Workforce Development Committee and also serves on the Planning Committee for the Lasallian National Huether Conference, where she has been a presenter multiple times. She is a member of the first graduating class of the Next Generation Lasallian Leaders.
Reis’ appointment will allow him to focus on advocacy and fundraising.
“I am delighted to see Beth leading an organization that is clearly so near and dear to my heart,” he said. “During the past 17 years, she’s clearly demonstrated to me and to everyone she’s worked with her exceptional leadership abilities as well as her unparalleled dedication to the children and families we serve.”
Reis said Bixby started her career working with Tides’ families, and believes she understands what the organization needs to continue providing services to the community.
“Her experience is just what Tides needs in the next chapter of our history,” he said.
As part of their 35th anniversary this year, the agency will host a series of special events to celebrate the milestone.
Follow Kendra Lolio on Twitter @kendralolio
