At Hicks Partners, Nickey is responsible for developing and executing communications strategies to engage the general public and local government officials on behalf of clients. In addition, Nickey helps clients develop and refine impactful messages to deliver maximum results in a complex communications environment.

Nickey began his career in state government as a Legislative Aide to State Senator Bruce E. Johnson. He assisted Senator Johnson to successfully fulfilling his public obligations by providing support in the areas of drafting legislation, communication, research and public relations.

In 2001, Nickey moved to the Ohio Department of Development, where he promoted economic and community growth through business attraction and creation, community development and partnerships with local governments. He was involved in almost every aspect of the department’s efforts to attract, create, grow and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments in business, Ohio communities and its citizens. As a registered lobbyist for the department, he represented two Lt. Governors, Bruce E. Johnson and Lee Fisher in the General Assembly, the Governor’s office and other state agencies. During his tenure he gained valuable experience in negotiation and consensus building with both administrative and legislative leaders and staff on both sides of the political aisle.

Prior to joining Hicks Partners, Nickey formed Grassroots Applications, a solutions provider to organizations seeking mobile and mobile optimized internet solutions. He was also Associate Vice President at Melamed Communications, where he worked on business capital formation, public relations and casino regulatory issues. In that role he served on the board of directors for a start-up hybrid transmission company.

Nickey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Kenyon College.