Springfield Native Named IL National Guard Fiscal Officer

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks, a Springfield native and longtime member of the Illinois Army National Guard, has been appointed as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois, succeeding Col. Brian Creech, who will retire at the end of September after a 40-year military career. The appointment was announced by Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the Adjutant General of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard.

Hicks most recently served as the Illinois National Guard's Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer, where he assisted in overseeing the management of all federal resources allocated to the organization. Before that assignment, he served as the office's financial manager and chief of the Supply and Services Division.

As the United States Property and Fiscal Officer, Hicks will report directly to the Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army Gen. Thomas M. Carden Jr. His responsibilities include receiving, accounting for and safeguarding all federal funds and property provided to the Illinois National Guard. The position also oversees the proper management and distribution of federal resources to ensure Illinois National Guard units remain prepared for both state and federal missions.

Boyd said Hicks' experience in logistics and financial management, combined with his service as deputy to the office, made him well qualified to lead the organization. He also thanked Creech for his decades of service, crediting his financial stewardship and leadership with helping strengthen the Illinois National Guard throughout his tenure.

Hicks has served in the Illinois Army National Guard for more than 23 years. He enlisted in 2002 before earning his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2006. During his military career, he has held numerous command and staff assignments and has deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in Iraq from 2004 to 2006 and later deployed to Afghanistan in 2010.

Following his appointment, Hicks said he was honored by the opportunity to serve in the new role and pledged to continue the work of maintaining responsible stewardship of federal resources while supporting Illinois National Guard service members.

Creech, who has led the office as United States Property and Fiscal Officer, said serving in the position had been the honor of his career. During his four decades of military service, he deployed to Iraq with the 232nd Corps Support Battalion and participated in multinational military exercises in Jordan and Poland. He said he was proud of what the office had accomplished and expressed confidence that Hicks would continue its work.