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Chamber finds new leader right at home By Peter Wong of the Mail Tribune For its new executive vice president, the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County screened applications from 16 states and two countries. But the board announced Friday that it did not have to go far for a successor to Bill Haas, who announced in September he would step down after 20 years. Brad Hicks, the chamber's marketing director for the past six years, will take over as executive vice president Feb. 1. "The best person for the job was right here," said Scott Morris, chamber president and general manager of Avista Utilities. Hicks was chosen from among four finalists invited for three-day interviews. The selection committee was headed by Bill Anderberg, chamber president-elect and owner of Answer Page. "I hope to grow on the chamber's success under the leadership of Bill Haas," Hicks said. "Anything is possible given the quality of our volunteer leadership and our world-class staff." During six years as marketing director, Hicks has helped develop more than $1 million in income from membership, advertising and sponsorship. He is a 1987 graduate of Southern Oregon University. He has completed three years of the Institute for Organizational Management of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, which is at the University of California at Los Angeles. Before he joined the chamber in 1993, Hicks was employed by Lithia Motors. He also was a legislative aide for several former legislators -- state Rep. George Trahern of Grants Pass, state Sen. Peter Brockman of Sisters, state Sen. Ron Grensky of Medford, and U.S. Rep. Denny Smith, R-Ore. He and his wife, Kimberly, live in Medford. His community involvement includes Rotary, United Way of Jackson County board, regional advisory board for Southern Oregon University, capital campaign for the YMCA, Rogue Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, American Heart Association and Alzheimer's Association. Among his professional association memberships are Oregon Chamber Executives, National Association of Membership Directors, Northwest Chamber Leaders Association and the American Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA