Economic developers spend lots of time getting to know site selection consultants. To help you in that regard, throughout the year, we're inviting several members from the Hickey & Associates team to answer questions designed to shed light on who they are and how that uniqueness is reflected in their work. This month, we're spending time with the one and only David Hickey, Managing Director of Hickey & Associates.
What is one thing you are deeply passionate about, and how do you express that passion?
I’ve always been passionate about providing the best service to our clients from the outset of a relationship through completion of a project…and often for years to come afterwards. Built on the legacy of our firm’s earliest beginnings, dedication, trust, and loyalty to those we work for, with, and alongside is paramount to being successful in our field and developing long-term partnerships. These principles don’t just stop at work – they carry over into every day with family, friends, and all that we encounter on a daily basis.
What belief did you once hold that you no longer do, and what changed your perspective?
Continuing to learn and be open-minded is pivotal in what we do. Everyone carries bias – whether we know it or not – having the ability to look past our preconceptions is critical. Scrutinizing and challenging data, getting on-the-ground, and engaging with stakeholders from business, economic development, and across a community, are all among the key drivers to molding our perspective.
What are some of the most common misconceptions people have about your field/role, and what would you like them to know instead?
Being a site selector is fun and exciting, yet extremely challenging in our dynamic world. I think one of the common misconceptions is that we may know where our clients are going early in a project. While business drivers may narrow the geographic scope to a particular country, state, province, or region, the multitude of factors that come into play for every project we work on can quickly pivot a location decision.
What are the most important skills or qualities someone needs to be successful in your role?
Coming back to being open-minded and unbiased is vital to ensuring our clients ultimately end up in the right community and the right site for them. Further, diligence, patience, honesty, and always thinking multiple steps ahead, are all crucial skills in our role.
What is one thing most people don't know about you that you'd like to share?
While being a site selector by day (and frequently, by night, too), my most vital role is being a dedicated father, husband, son, and brother. I don’t know if that’s something people don’t know about me, but it is the most important aspect of my life!
Bonus Question: What’s the best meal you ever ate (or something regarding food)?
Such a tough question! One of my favorite unique foods that I love is called a “cheese boat.” A cheese boat is a traditional Georgian (country, not the state) cuisine that has been perfected by a restaurant in my old stomping grounds of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Just as it sounds, it is a bread dish that resembles a boat filled with incredible melted cheeses. From there, you can put in any ingredients imaginable from eggs to meat to veggies…and beyond.
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