Tom Hickson joined MTA in fall 2025 as its executive director, working with the MTA Board of Directors and staff to administer and oversee programs and services provided to member township officials as they serve their communities. Hickson brings nearly 30 years of executive-level public policy experience to his role leading MTA.

Prior to joining the Association, Hickson spent 14 years with the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC), where he managed all legislative activities for the conference as its vice president of Public Policy and Advocacy. While at MCC, he was voted by his peers as a top lobbyist in 2011 and 2019. Previously, Hickson spent eight years as director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Association of Counties, developing legislative strategies on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties. He was also a legislative coordinator for the then-named Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and served as legislative assistant and scheduling assistant for former Sen. Jon Cisky.

A Lansing resident, Hickson has been a member of the city’s Board of Public Service since 2020, and was chair for two years. He spent six years on the Habitat for Humanity Capitol Region Board of Directors, serving as board secretary and vice president as well as chair of the nominating committee.