[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21437-21438]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING BRAD HICKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 10, 2009

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Brad Hicks, the president and CEO of the Chamber of 
Medford/Jackson County headquartered in Medford, Oregon.
  Brad has deep and enduring roots in southern Oregon that have 
grounded his personal and professional life in special ways. He 
treasures the beautiful Rogue Valley in which he was raised and where 
he and his lovely wife, Kimberly, have chosen to raise their son, 
Jonathan. Brad's love of southern Oregon and his steadfast belief in 
its bright future have driven his chamber career along a steady path of 
unselfish service to the Rogue Valley.
  Brad grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon and graduated with a degree in 
political science from Southern Oregon State College, now known as 
Southern Oregon University. After public service as an aide to members 
of the state legislature and the U.S. Congress, Brad returned home to 
southern Oregon in 1993 where he began his chamber management career as 
membership director of the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County. Brad was 
mentored by a chamber legend, Bill Haas, who taught him the essentials 
of running an effective chamber.
  In 1994 Brad became advertising sales director, and then marketing 
director in 1995, serving in that capacity until being selected to his 
current position when Bill Haas retired at the end of 1999.
  Under Brad's leadership as president and CEO, the Chamber of Medford/
Jackson County has grown to be the largest chamber in Oregon, far 
surpassing the membership of chambers in much larger communities. The 
Chamber of Medford/Jackson County has not only grown significantly, it 
has been recognized repeatedly for its effective service to the 
community. Theirs is the model that other chambers

[[Page 21438]]

follow for membership growth, political involvement, and communications 
with the membership.
  Brad gives greatly of himself to his community and to his profession. 
He has served ably on a long list of local boards, commissions, and 
philanthropic endeavors. Brad has served on the United States Chamber 
of Commerce West Institute Board of Regents, the American Chamber of 
Commerce Executives Board of Directors, and the Northwest Chamber 
Leaders. Brad is a past president of the Oregon State Chamber of 
Commerce, and was named that organization's Chamber Executive of the 
Year in 2006. Brad was also recently awarded the 2008 Western 
Association of Chamber Executives' ``Executive of the Year'' award.
  Madam Speaker, Brad Hicks is an impactful leader who makes a 
difference in his community. He brings considerable skills and 
experience to his service to others and he never rests in his constant 
personal and professional growth.
  However, it is Brad's latest accomplishment that compels me to 
address this body today. Through years of hard work and dedication, 
Brad recently joined a very elite group of chamber executives when he 
achieved the status of certified chamber executive, or CCE as it is 
known in the chamber profession. In the past 38 years, fewer than 460 
chamber executives have achieved the coveted CCE level. The CCE program 
is designed to assess a senior manager's knowledge of the four core 
chamber management areas: management, planning and development, 
membership, communications, and operations.
  The CCE earned by Brad is a national recognition of his commitment to 
his profession, his dedication to managerial and leadership excellence, 
and his leadership in state, regional, and national chamber 
professional associations.
  I value what Brad has accomplished and his contribution to his 
community. I invite each of you today to join me in thanking Brad Hicks 
for his service and in congratulating him on achieving the rare 
accomplishment of certified chamber executive.

                          ____________________