The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS OF BRAD HICKS
______
HON. CLIFF BENTZ
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 28, 2021
Mr. BENTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Brad Hicks, who retires on June 30, 2021, after working nearly 28 years with The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County, serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer for 21 of those years.
Brad was raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, and graduated from North Valley High School in 1983, where he served as Class President. Brad attended Southern Oregon University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1987, and then worked with members in the Oregon State Legislature and the United States Congress for nearly five years. In 1993, Brad returned to the Rogue Valley, beginning his career in chamber management as the Membership Director for The Chamber of Medford & Jackson County. In 1999, Brad took leadership of The Chamber as its President and CEO.
As leader of The Chamber, Brad's experience in government helped him develop a unique strategy focused on encouraging competition among small businesses, limiting their tax burden, and promoting highly qualified workers. Brad also raised serious questions about how businesses were expected to thrive while government was failing to capitalize on Oregon's economic advantages. He also focused The Chamber's attention on issues ranging from Oregon's convoluted tax structure, failing transportation strategy and a higher education system that failed to produce skilled workers. Brad's efforts led to the creation of ChamberPAC, a business advocacy organization.
The amazing level of support Brad was able to generate for businesses in Southern Oregon won him several well deserved and prestigious honors. In 2009, Brad earned the internationally recognized Certified Chamber Executive designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Brad was the only sitting chamber CEO in Oregon to hold this certification, which helped earn him a seat on the United States Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. Additionally, both the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce and the Western Association of Chamber Executives named Brad the Chamber Executive of the Year. In 2018, the Western Association elected Brad as its Chairman, the first Oregonian to lead the 94-year-old association, which consists of members from 19 Western States and three Canadian provinces.
Brad is most recognized for nearly doubling the size of The Chamber on several occasions and achieving the title of the largest Chamber of Commerce in Oregon and on the West Coast. Brad took The Chamber to even greater heights garnering the respect of the local community, the State of Oregon, and across the Western United States. Brad's focus and work has always been to benefit business owners and communities throughout Oregon and the Nation. In fact, Brad would help a struggling business owner in Jackson County whether they were a member of the Chamber or not because he knew that a thriving business would always be a positive force to the community. Even in retirement, he plans to spend the first year in an advisory role with the Chamber while he builds up his own business consultancy company.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the remarkable career of Brad Hicks. For a man of his ability, who demonstrated superb leadership and dedication to Oregonians and Americans alike, we cannot thank him enough. Brad's achievements and reputation speak for themselves, and as an Oregonian, he has brought great credit to himself, his community, the State of Oregon, and our great Nation as an industrious leader in commerce.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 94
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