Reply #66: Taft appointed Brian Hicks to the Ohio Water Development Authority

[kuozzman]

The Associated Press State & Local Wire
August 2, 2003, Saturday, BC cycle
Taft's former chief of staff appointed to state board
COLUMBUS, Ohio

Gov. Bob Taft's former chief of staff was put back on the state payroll one day after leaving the governor's office.

Taft on Friday appointed Brian Hicks to the Ohio Water Development Authority, a post with a $5,000 annual salary plus travel expenses.

Hicks had resigned effective Thursday after five years as Taft's top aide.

He set up his own consulting firm to manage Taft's $500 million Third Frontier bond issue this fall, and to aid President Bush's re-election campaign next year.

Hicks' term on the 10-member board will run through July 2, 2011. The appointment qualifies him for continued credit in the Public Employees Retirement System and paid state health care benefits.

Hicks will replace Verna Riffe-Biemel of Columbus, whose term on the board expired. She is the daughter of the late Vern Riffe, who served a record 20 years as speaker of the Ohio House.

Hicks, 38, worked with Taft for 12 years going back to Taft's two terms as secretary of state. He also managed Taft's political campaigns, including his gubernatorial election and re-election.

The water authority is a semi-independent state agency that helps local governments finance water, solid-waste and pollution-control projects.

LOAD-DATE: August 3, 2003