<= !--[if gte vml 1]> Jerry Hammond, longtime Columbus City Councilman and communi= ty and government affairs professional. His service on Columbus City Council r= an from 1974 through 1990 and was the first African-American to serve as Counc= il President from 1984 to 1990. His accomplishments include creation of the Legislative Research Office and the neighborhood commissions, which advise Council on issues such as zoning, which affect their areas. He was also a leader in the development of the downtown area, in funding for arts and conventions, and for initiatives in education, human services and minority affairs.

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>In 1990 Mr. Hammond founded Hammond and Associa= tes a consulting practice specializing in community and public affairs, communi= ty relations, government relations and marketing communications. Hammond serve= d as President until his retirement at the end of 2006.

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Mr. Hammond has managed and consulted on various community issues and served in leadership positions on community levy campa= igns for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and Columbus Public Schools. =

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Hammond has served as Executive Assistant to th= e President of Columbus Southern Power (now American Electric Power), and as Bureau Chi= ef for the Ohio Department of Economic and Community Development. Former posit= ions include those at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Columbus, Training Institute of Central Ohio, and Franklin County Children Services.<= o:p>

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Hammond has served on many boards and commissio= ners during his distinguished career, including Rickenbacker Port Authority, Ameriflora, United Way and the National Urban Policy Roundtable. He is the recipient of more than 200 community service and achievement awards.

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>In September 2005 the Long Street Businessmen&#= 8217;s Association decided to honor Mr. Hammond by naming its cycling award The Je= rry Hammond Trophy. This trophy is awarded to the winner of the professional cycling race during the annual Long Street Tour.

<= span style=3D'font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times = New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Two years later, the City of Columbus, also hon= ored him by renaming and dedicating the former CNA Building at 1111 East Broad Street, which was purchased by the City in December 2006 and serves as the = new home for the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, the 311 Call Cen= ter, and the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation, The Jerry Hammond Building on September 19, 2007.