The Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors announced Thursday that Lori Fickling has been selected as the new chamber CEO/president.

The position was left open after former president Ray Hernandez left the chamber on Oct. 31, 2017. The board's decision to hire Fickling was unanimous and was completed after a rigorous interview process and review of several qualified candidates interested in the leadership position, officials said.

Fickling, who is currently the director of economic development for Denton County, will start on April 25.

"I am so thrilled to be selected as the next president for the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce," Fickling said in a news release. "This is an exciting time for Lewisville, Denton County, and the North Texas region, and I’m excited to work with our outstanding members, staff, committees and volunteers.”

Fickling has previously served as president of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce for ten years. In addition, she owned and managed a community newspaper, The Messenger, for many years and served as chief development officer for Communities in Schools of North Texas.