HICKS NAMED INTERIM CEO AND PRESIDENT

OF CINCINNATI BUSINESS INCUBATOR INC.

 CINCINNATI, May 8, 2003 – The Cincinnati Business Incubator (CBI) today announced that it had named Wayne Hicks interim president and CEO of CBI, succeeding Annette Smith Tarver, who leaves CBI May 16 to become president of Blackwell Consulting Services of Ohio.  Mr. Hicks was the chairman of the CBI board.  The board has also formed a search committee to find a permanent CEO.

Hicks brings a variety of public sector and private sector experience to the role.   Most recently as CEO of Hicks Enterprises, Hicks has worked with a diverse group of Cincinnati consultants focusing on Internet online marketing, leadership development and product sales.  Prior to starting his own business Hicks served as the Director of the IRS Cincinnati Submission Processing Center (CSPC) in Covington, Kentucky.  In 2002, Wayne’s area of responsibility involved managing the entire center, one of only two business-return centers in the nation.   Employing more than 3,600 people in Covington and Florence, Kentucky, and Dayton, Ohio, the CSPC became one of the largest employers in the area.  

“Wayne is absolutely the right person for the job,” said Ed Jackson, CBI Board of Trustees member “Not only does he have both public- and private-sector experience, as past chairman of CBI’s board he brings continuity that will be critical to us during this transition.  At the same time, we can’t thank Annette enough for her tireless work on behalf of CBI and our tenants and affiliates.  Her drive and energy will drive growth for Blackwell Consulting of Ohio.” 

Hicks received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside.  He is currently President-Elect of the National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA). From 1999 through 2001, he served as the President of the Cincinnati Chapter of BDPA.  BDPA Cincinnati chapter was recognized as back-to-back BDPA Chapter of the Year for their efforts under his leadership.

Hicks is active with a number of community-based initiatives including the Regional Technology Initiative and Cincinnatus.  He was recognized by the Business Courier as one of  “Forty Under 40” in Cincinnati and  was a finalist for the Applause Magazine ImageMaker Award for his work in the technology arena.

 About Cincinnati Business Incubator

CBI is the only local business incubator that focuses on the needs of small Empowerment Zone and women-owned businesses. With CBI’s unique location within Cincinnati’s Empowerment Zone and by providing access to targeted tax incentives, loans and federally-supported business programs all within a supportive and friendly business environment, the organization is helping small businesses learn how to triple their chances of success.

The goal of incubation is to produce successful graduates that are financially viable, freestanding businesses when they leave the incubator. Most businesses participate in CBI’s program for three to five years and then "graduate." CBI has graduated 34 businesses including its first national franchisee, Mrs. Fields Cookies.