A.G. Gancarski
The Human Rights Campaign has its troops on the ground as registered lobbyists for the expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance.
They have an important ally from the Southern Strategy Group: Deno Hicks, a Jacksonville native and the managing power of the Jacksonville SSG office, who is now a registered lobbyist via Florida Businesses for a Competitive Workforce on behalf of “Human Rights Ordinance Expansion in Jax.”
Hicks brings bona fides on the right, as his SSG bio indicates.
Throughout his professional career, Deno has directed his attention to public policy and offered himself as a public servant. Deno served the Bush Administration as a Florida Liaison to the Department of Political Affairs of the White House. In 2004, Deno was elected as the Republican State Committeeman in Duval County, and Chairman of Congressional District 4, where he served a four year term. During his tenure, Deno served in many leadership roles from fundraising to managing “Get Out the Vote” Campaigns in support of candidates. In 2005, Deno was appointed initially by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Greenways and Trails Council where he is still active. Deno has also received appointments by the Governor where he had served as a Nominee to the Electoral College, as a Delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention, member of the 4th Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission, and one of the Governor’s 10 Appointees to the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Florida. Locally, Deno served on the Planning Commission for the City of Jacksonville, the completed Zoning Code Re-Write Committee for the City of Jacksonville, and former member of the City’s Charter Revision Commission.
Hicks’ involvement benefits the HRO drive in two ways. It offers free-market conservative support to the bill, and puts a local face on lobbying efforts.
[Update 2:05 p.m] Hicks is not the only SSG person involved in the Human Rights Ordinance effort. Matt Brockelman is also engaged in the effort.
