Preparing and distributing press releases and announcements.Writing content for county newsletters and publications.Franklin County's media contact and spokesperson.Webmaster for the county's website.Assists in the writing and administration of grants.Developing communications strategies to better inform internal and external audiences.

Periodically produce stories about economic development and local government topics.

Developed a communications plan to use external mediums to communicate a cohesive message to residents, visitors, and businesses.Planned, composed, and coordinated distribution of 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.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.Performed all statutory clerk duties; coordinates 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.Retained custody of official records including ordinances, resolutions, minutes, contracts, agreements, easements, deeds, bonds, MOU’s, and Mutual Aid Agreements; ensures proper signatures are obtained; notarized documents; prepared documents for recording and archiving to ensure easy retrieval; ensured records are kept up-to-date.

A multi award-winning reporter for an award-winning newsroom, James Hicks covered local government in Greenwood County, including both Greenwood City Council and Greenwood County Council. He also covered politics, business, and economic development.He won a 1st place award in 2020 for enterprise reporting among small daily newspapers for his article "The road to dissolution: What brought Greenwood Partnership Alliance to a dead end." His "Promised Land: A place to call home" article was republished through the Associated Press in more than 30 news sites/newspapers across the country.

• Transformed an underused Facebook account and revitalized it, doubling likes and follows. Created Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts to start and build following.• Draft communications for use of various groups in the church.• Host the GracePoint Church podcast, available on more than nine podcast platforms.• Develop and maintain the organization's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.• Manage communications budgets.• Manage special events such as spring/fall festivals, parties, and other events to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.• Video, edit and publish videos for events, speaking engagements, and sermons.

• Preside over bond hearings, rule to show cause hearings, and trials.• Issue arrest warrants and search warrants where probable cause has been established.• 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.• Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.• Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.• Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by a jury, according to applicable state statutes.

• Assisted attorney (David Thomas) and office staff in daily duties at law firm.• Accompanied attorney to trials, hearings, and document filings.• Tracked and monitored pending cases to ensure attorney’s time was efficiently managed.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with voters, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop free or earned media.• Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits and develop and maintain campaign web pages.• Identify target groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.• Develop and maintain the campaign's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.• Manage communications budgets.• Draft speeches for the candidate and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for him.• Manage 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.• Observe and report on social, economic and political trends that might affect the campaign.

While finishing his BA in Communications at USC Upstate, James Hicks had the opportunity to work as a runner at the civil law firm of Lyles, Darr, & Clark, LLP in Spartanburg, SC. As a runner, he was responsible for filing documents the clerk of court's office as well as the register of deed's office amongst other office related tasks such as answering phones, filing internal documents, and cleaning up court files.He quickly was entrusted with more responsibilities that legal assistants typically do. Finding deeds, title updating, and requesting court records was added to his list of responsibilities.

James Hicks was an early volunteer of the Mike Huckabee for President 2008 campaign. His primary role was to develop college student involvement in the campaign as well as act as a part of the advance team to prepare locations for the candidates arrival. He was instrumental in working out logistics with a late 2007 rally at the University Center (formerly McAlister Square Mall) and acting as an intermediary between the campaign staff and the musical talent on hand.