Our next Board Member Spotlight is on Brian Hicks, President & CEO of Hicks Partners, LLC. Aside from serving as an Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board Member, he also serves as the president of the Ohio Chamber Research Foundation. During his time as a board member, Brian has been involved with several Ohio Chamber committees such as our Taxation & Public Expenditures Committee, Energy & Environment Committee and our Public Affairs Committee.
What does your company do? 
Hicks Partners is a multidisciplinary business consulting firm providing public relations, government affairs and business development services. Our team has decades of experience in politics, government and business. We use that experience to help clients raise awareness of an issue or cause, impact public policy at the state and federal level, and earn valuable economic incentives to support their growth.
How does your company impact to the Ohio economy/ benefit the Ohio business community?
Most of our clients have business operations in Ohio. A strong business climate with low taxes, reasonable regulation, and a skilled workforce, is critical to their success and ultimately ours. Many of our clients are also members of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and/or local chambers. As a result, we are often aligned with the Chamber’s broad public policy goals as we work to advance our clients’ interests. Together, we help our clients advocate for policy and regulations that allow them to compete and strengthen the overall business climate of the state.
What is your role at your company?
As President and CEO, I’m involved in every aspect of the business, including supporting clients with their government affairs, economic development and public relations goals. In addition, I focus on new business development and the long-term growth and strategic direction of the company.
What do you hope to gain from your membership with the Ohio Chamber?
Our involvement with the Ohio Chamber allows us to stay abreast of general issues affecting the business community and highlights specific issues impacting many of our clients. Associates of our firm regularly attend the Chamber’s tax and energy/environment committees to receive information and share our perspective. Chamber membership has also provided valuable opportunities for interaction and relationships with other business leaders throughout the state.
How has serving on the board helped you or your company?
In addition to serving on the Chamber board, I have the privilege of serving as the first president of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation. Together with other Research Foundation board members and staff, we’ve been hard at work building the organization, tracking and reporting on the state of Ohio’s economy though our quarterly Prosperity Pulse, assisting the Chamber with its drug prevention tool kit, and developing a comprehensive study of the state’s innovation economy. All of these issues are important to the general business community, our firm and clients and to me personally.
How long have you been on the board?
I have served on the Chamber board for 7 years.
What are some of the latest goals/objectives of your company?
We are continually focused on delivering powerful results for our clients. I am proud of our record of accomplishment in Ohio and we will continue to grow much of our business here. In addition, we opened a full time Washington, DC office earlier this year to broaden our service offerings and expand our impact. With the new administration and Congress grappling with meaningful issues – tax reform, healthcare reform, infrastructure investment just to name a few – we believe Hicks Partners can play a valuable role in helping shape national policy, just as we’ve helped shaped policy in the Buckeye State.
How has the Ohio Chamber helped your company achieve those goals/objectives?
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is the go-to organization for Ohio businesses. As the premier champion of free enterprise, economic competitiveness and growth for the benefit of all Ohioans, the Ohio Chamber compliments what we believe and do as a company. We value our relationship with the Ohio Chamber and are grateful that businesses throughout the state support the organization to keep it strong.