Brian Hicks, President & CEO of Hicks Partners in Columbus, will update our members on what is happening from the Ohio Statehouse to the U.S. Capital and its impact on small businesses. Whether it’s groundbreaking legislation or simply a reshuffling of the legislative agenda, Brian will provide an overview of the issues affecting business’s bottom line and offer insight into critical upcoming policy proposals and the politics surrounding them.  In addition, Brian will talk about new funding and incentives from various government agencies that can support business growth. 

Prior to forming Hicks Partners in 2003, Brian Hicks had a long career as a public affairs official in a variety of key roles in federal and state government and on local, state and national political campaigns. He was involved in virtually every aspect of managing the state of Ohio while serving as the governor’s chief of staff. Hicks was also the chief architect of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project and the Clean Ohio Fund. In addition, he served as Ohio deputy secretary of state and as senior legislative assistant to a U.S. Congressman. Due to his expertise in election law, Mr. Hicks served as an advisor to Bush campaign officials and local elections officials and, in November 2000, led a team from Ohio to participate in the presidential election recount in Florida. Mr. Hicks served on The Ohio State University Board of Trustees from 2004-2013 and has served on the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2010. He currently serves as the President of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Marburn Academy.