Deno Hicks, the lobbyist with ties to fired JEA CEO and Managing Director Aaron Zahn, resigned Jan. 17 as managing partner for the Jacksonville office of The Southern Group.
A spokesperson for The Southern Group confirmed that Hicks submitted his resignation in an email to Paul Bradshaw, the lobbying firm’s chairman and founder.
The Florida Times-Union reported Dec. 13 that Hicks was a partner with Zahn in Legacy Industries of Jax LLC. Through Legacy, Hicks and Zahn co-owned a 24-acre undeveloped site on the Westside that the newspaper reported was offered for sale for nearly $2 million.
The city charter states JEA’s managing director is not allowed to have outside employment or businesses.
Hicks did not provide a reason for his resignation in the email and he did not respond to a Jan. 20 voice message for comment.
“Although this is a difficult decision please consider this my official resignation from The Southern Group. I have valued my experience that I’ve gained over the last 11 years in working with this great team,” Hicks wrote in the email.
“I am proud to have helped put The Southern Group on the map in Northeast Florida over my tenure and I look forward to the opportunity to my next venture.”
The Southern Group entered into a one-year $120,000 contract with JEA to lobby City Council and other local government entities for the public utility while it was negotiating with nine private companies for a possible sale. The contract also had a $10,000-per-month retainer fee, according to Council Auditor’s office documents.
In an email to Southern Group employees Jan. 17, Bradshaw said the firm will search for a new managing partner to lead its Jacksonville office and will temporarily move the location’s administration to Tallahassee, where the firm is based.
The firm spokesperson said The Southern Group expects no other staffing changes in Jacksonville.
The Southern Group’s Jacksonville office employs two other lobbyists.
Matt Brockelman joined the firm in 2014, specializing in real estate development, financial services and securing government incentives for clients. Carlo Fassi was hired by The Southern Group in 2019 after serving as campaign manager for several candidates in Northeast Florida, including Council Vice President Tommy Hazouri’s 2019 reelection bid.
Hicks was one of two Southern Group managing partners placed in Jacksonville when the firm expanded to the city in 2009 as The Southern Strategy Group.