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James Hicks
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Resume
PROFESSIONAL ​INFO​​
Accomplished, energetic communicator and award-winning reporter with a solid history of achievement in media, legal, political, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Motivated leader with strong organizational and prioritization abilities. Areas of expertise include government reporting, FOIA, crisis communication, media relations, and brand development and management.
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"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."
- Colin Powell
WORK EXPERIENCE​​
2022-present
Public Information Officer/Grants Administrator - Franklin County, N.C.
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Prepared and distributed press releases and announcements and advised county manager on matters involving media.
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Designed and produced content for county publications including flyers, brochures, signs, and electronic communications.
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Served as Franklin County's primary media contact and spokesperson.
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Coordinated website redesign efforts and served as webmaster for the county's website.
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Assisted in the writing and administration of grants.
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Developed communications strategies to better inform internal and external audiences
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Leveraged new and emerging technologies (i.e. Twitter Spaces) to present information to county residents.
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Launched the county’s first email newsletter.
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Hosted and produced the Franklin County N.C. Podcast.
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Coordinated media operations for dignitary visits including U.S. cabinet secretary, EPA administrator, and state governor visits.
2021-2022
City Clerk & Public Information Officer - City of Creedmoor, N.C.
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Developed a communications plan to use external mediums to communicate a cohesive message to residents, visitors, and businesses.
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Planned, composed, and coordinated distribution of the quarterly newsletter, press releases, flyers, brochures, etc. to advocate and announce city programs, activities, and initiatives; utilized images and video to illustrate written and electronic materials; distributed materials to appropriate news media such as press, radio, television or other multi-media outlets; used available technology to post on the city’s website and social media accounts; continually monitored and revised content to ensure information reaches the largest audience possible; established consistent and appropriately-timed social media advertising campaigns.
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Worked with other city departments to develop strategies in presenting programs to the media and the public via news releases and other media opportunities; assisted departments with communications needs, identifying key messages, and writing content on issues.
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Performed all statutory clerk duties; coordinated with the city manager in preparation of materials, agenda, and written documents for the Board of Commissioners’ meetings; assembles and distributes agenda packets; ensured proper legal requirements are met for open meetings laws such as advertising meetings, etc.; attended meetings and ensures that minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and related documents are prepared and preserved; filed records and minutes as required by law; indexed minutes; and maintained online access for minutes and other official records.
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Retained custody of official records including ordinances, resolutions, minutes, contracts, agreements, easements, deeds, bonds, MOUs, and Mutual Aid Agreements; ensured proper signatures are obtained; notarized documents; prepared documents for recording and archiving to ensure easy retrieval; ensured records are kept up-to-date.
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Performed review of Emergency Operations Plan on a minimum semi-annual basis; identified possible revisions needed and submitted those to appropriate technical staff for review; communicates results to all city staff, elected officials, and outside agencies as appropriate.
2020-2021
Staff Writer/Reporter - (Greenwood S.C.) Index-Journal
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Award-winning reporter who has covered governmental entities including Greenwood County Council, Greenwood City Council and other municipalities as part of an award-winning newsroom.
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Assigned to Greenwood beat which included covering Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, economic development, political campaigns and elected officials to state government.
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Won 1st Place award in Enterprise Reporting in 2020 as well as two 2nd Place awards for Business Beat Reporting and Government Beat Reporting.
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Requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act and reported on violations of the act.
2010-2020
Magistrate Judge - Greenville County, S.C.
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Presided over bond hearings, rule to show cause hearings, and trials.
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Issued arrest warrants and search warrants where probable cause has been established.
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Served on committee to evaluate architect bids for a new courthouse and worked with the chosen architects on developing the blueprint for the North Greenville Summary Court, East Greenville Summary Court, and future courthouses.
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Monitored proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
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Conducted preliminary hearings to decide issues such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
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Sentenced defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by a jury, according to applicable state statutes.
2019-2020
Communications Director - GracePoint Church, Simpsonville, S.C.
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Transformed an underused Facebook account and revitalized it, doubling likes and follows. Created Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts to start and build a following.
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Drafted communications for use of various groups in the church.
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Hosted the GracePoint Church podcast, available on more than nine podcast platforms.
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Developed and maintained the organization's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
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Managed special events such as spring/fall festivals, parties, and other events to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.
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Video, edit and publish videos for events, speaking engagements, and sermons.
2009-2010
Communications Director - David Thomas for Congress (S.C.-4) 2010
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Established and maintained effective working relationships with voters, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop free or earned media.
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Wrote interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits and develop and maintain campaign web pages.
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Identified target groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
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Developed and maintained the campaign's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
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Managed communications budgets.
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Drafted speeches for the candidate and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for him.
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Managed special events such as fundraisers, parties introducing the candidate, and other activities the candidate supports to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.
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Observed and reported on social, economic and political trends that might affect the campaign.
EDUCATION
May 2019
M.S. Media Management - Arkansas State University
Inducted into Kappa Tau Alpha (Journalism and Mass Communication Honor Society) and Phi Kappa Phi.
B.A. Communications (Speech) - University of South Carolina Upstate
May 2009
Captain - Mock Trial Team. Minor: Political Science.Inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha - Nu Kappa (Political Science Honor Society)
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1st Place
Enterprise Reporting
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2nd Place
Government Beat Reporting
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2nd Place
Business Beat Reporting
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3rd Place
News Feature Writing