At the congested intersection of politics and business, Jamie Hanks is putting her communications skills to the test in new ways as the executive director of the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce.
As Business Report details in its latest Executive Spotlight feature, Hanks, 34, spent seven years working for former U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander and was the director of legislative affairs for the Division of Administration from 2013 to 2015.
These days, she’s using her Capitol experience to better the parish and the people she now serves as the executive director of the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce.
“Through different roles in the political realm, many of the skills I’ve learned are transferable to my current position,” Hanks says. “Strong communication, both verbal and written, is probably first and foremost. I’m often working with individuals with very little time to spare. So being able to quickly, clearly and convincingly get my message across is paramount.”
In her role, Hanks intends to make the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce website a one-stop shop for information about the parish and what it has to offer. She says the chamber also is exploring ways to increase membership and is changing the format of its Annual Banquet to honor businesses and individuals dedicated to helping West Baton Rouge Parish and to staying there.
When asked if she finds herself competing with other areas of the state for business, Hanks says she discovered it’s standard for a company to have its eye on one or two locations in Louisiana as well as in additional states.
“Obviously, we want it in West Baton Rouge! But it is key to keep in mind that any new business has the potential to bring value to the whole area if they select this part of the state,” she says. “I can’t thank our parish government, BRAC and LED enough for their assistance in not only attracting businesses, but also helping in our retention and expansion efforts.”
Read the full Executive Spotlight Q&A. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:
What have been some of the unexpected challenges of your position?
This is more about me, and less about my position per se. Believe it or not, one of my greatest fears is public speaking, which is clearly part of my job. This uneasiness developed later in life and came out of nowhere as I gave speeches during other phases of my career. Luckily, it’s getting easier the more I do it, and my fingers are crossed that I’ll be back to being a pro in the near future. Whoever said picturing people in their underwear helps was out of their mind.
