[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E584-E585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 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

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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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