Chevy Chase, MD (January 9, 2017) – National 4‑H Council has announced the re-election of a new Trustee to its Board of Trustees, which comes as the Board strives to engage alumni, increase investment in 4‑H and reach millions more young people with a 4‑H experience.
Ken Hicks brings extensive business expertise to his role with 4‑H, having been a leader in the retail industry for over 30 years until his retirement as Foot Locker, Inc.’s Executive Chairman in May 2015. Prior to this role, Mr. Hicks served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc. for five years.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Hicks’ passion for merchandising and marketing was evident during his time at Payless ShoeSource, where his role as President saw him overseeing all elements of merchandising, marketing, product distribution, direct product development and sourcing for 4,900 stores in seven countries. He then spent seven years at J.C. Penney Company, Inc., which he joined in 2002 as Chief Operating Officer for all of J.C. Penney’s stores and became President in 2005 overseeing all merchandising and marketing. During this time, in 2006, Mr. Hicks was first elected to serve on Council’s Board of Trustees.
“I’m excited to re-join 4‑H and support the continued expansion of 4‑H in all communities throughout America,” said newly elected Trustee Ken Hicks. “4‑H helps instill a sense of responsibility, courage and leadership in young people. In order to succeed and prosper as a nation, we need to have young people who have the skills and desire to grow and develop. 4‑H can help serve that need.”
This local and international experience, combined with Mr. Hicks’ learnings from his earlier roles as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for the Home Shopping Network, numerous senior executive roles at May Department Stores Co. and as senior engagement manager for McKinsey and Company, will assist National 4‑H Council’s Board of Trustees with its vision of growing 4‑H in partnership with America’s Cooperative Extension and land-grant university system and USDA. In addition, Mr. Hicks’ unique skill set will support the brand development of 4‑H nationwide.
Prior to entering the business world, Mr. Hicks graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of captain. Upon leaving the Army, he earned an MBA with highest distinction from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Hicks currently serves on the board of Avery Dennison Corporation and the advisory board of The NPD Group, and is a former member of the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and Board of Trustees of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mr. Hicks joins a diverse board made up of corporate executives, leaders from the nation’s land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension System and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as 4 H alumni and youth leaders.
About 4‑H
As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4‑H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4‑H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local offices. Globally, 4‑H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries.
The research-backed 4‑H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. 4‑H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4‑H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4‑H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Learn more about 4‑H at www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4‑H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.
