Deb Hackathorn, a highly respected Ohio government relations and political strategist, will join CivicPoint LLC, the public affairs subsidiary of Frost Brown Todd (FBT), as senior vice president in the firm’s Columbus office.
Hackathorn will guide the firm’s strategic direction and growth in Ohio, connecting business and community leaders to policymakers throughout the state.
“Deb’s combination of relationships, insights, and the respect she’s earned throughout her career is unique in Ohio,” said FBT’s Chief Executive Officer, George Yund. “Deb takes CivicPoint’s services in Ohio to a new level.”
Hackathorn served as policy director under Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery from 1995-2002, during which time she ran point on the Attorney General’s legislative agenda. In 2003, she followed Montgomery to the Office of the State Auditor, where she served as chief of staff, managing legislative affairs, communications and a staff of more than 900 employees. She comes to CivicPoint from the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), where she is vice president of advancement, leading the museum’s relationships with elected officials and strategic efforts to obtain millions in private and public financial support each year for Ohio’s largest modern-built science center.
“Having worked closely on policy issues with her for many years, I know Deb’s keen understanding of public policy and the inner workings of government have made her one of the most trusted advisors in the state,” said former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery. “Her professionalism, strategic insight, and political know-how will be major assets to CivicPoint as it grows its business in Ohio.”
Prior to her tenure at the Ohio Attorney General’s office, Hackathorn worked as a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate and then as a manager of government relations with Thomas C. Green & Associates. She currently serves as a member of the Ohio Academy of Sciences Board, advising on the Invention Convention program.
Frost Brown Todd has nearly 200 lawyers throughout Columbus, Cincinnati and West Chester. The FBT footprint in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee provides CivicPoint competitive advantages to clients, with team members who have been guiding clients through state and local government affairs throughout mid-America for decades.
“I’m excited to join CivicPoint for the firm’s strength in Ohio and the fact that it’s the only multistate public affairs firm in the Frost Brown Todd footprint,” Hackathorn said. “The opportunity to work at this scale is unique, and I look forward to helping clients achieve their goals in Ohio—and throughout the four states where CivicPoint’s team is working.”
At CivicPoint, Hackathorn joins Aaron Haslam, former executive director of the Ohio Medical Board, who works in both Columbus and Cincinnati. In the FBT Columbus office, CivicPoint also is supported by long-time political veterans Steve Smith, one of the state’s most respected municipal attorneys, and Frank Reed, former Assistant Attorney General for the state of Ohio.
“Clients care about results,” said CivicPoint Managing Principal Tom Lee. “And no one in Ohio is now better positioned to get those results than CivicPoint.”
Hackathorn joins CivicPoint’s Columbus office on Aug. 31.