James Hicks is an experienced communicator who develops innovative communication plans for local governments. He was an award-winning reporter with the award-winning (Greenwood) Index-Journal. He was assigned to the Greenwood City/County beat covering both governments as well as economic development, business, nonprofits and politics.James Hicks has extensive knowledge into the world of mass media, public relations, law and politics. He is also a researcher into topics involving media effects and law enforcement. He has conducted research on the relationship between media and law enforcement, specifically how news media and social media can change interactions on a crime scene or traffic stop. He received the Top Scholar Award from Kappa Tau Alpha (Journalism and Mass Communication Honor Society) and has also been inducted into Phi Kappa Phi (Honor Society) and Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society).For nearly a decade, he served as a magistrate judge in Greenville County working primarily at the Greenville County Detention Center handling bond matters and criminal arrest and search warrants.He also served in an advisory role in political campaigns working with campaign strategy and serving as the campaign’s chief media contact.Specialties: Investigative Journalism, Data Analytics, Strategy, Crisis Communication, Public Relations, Communication Research, Media and Law Enforcement Research
Listed skills include Legal Research, Courts, Public Speaking, Microsoft Office, and 16 others.