Our Team
Drawing from more than 50 years of combined experience working with legislative, local government and regulatory matters, New Visions Group has proven itself as a leader in business and politics.
After a career in state and national politics, Derrick Clay joined New Visions Group in 2004 as Vice President and Partner. He became CEO after acquiring the firm in 2014. Previously, he served as Midwest Political Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Ohio State Director for the Gore-Lieberman 2000 Presidential Campaign, a member of the historic Florida Recount Committee, and Executive Director of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, among other leadership roles.
Guided by the principles of accountability, responsibility, focus and teamwork, Derrick’s passion for politics and business dates back to his days as president of the Undergraduate Student Government at the University of Akron. Other career highlights include:
- Board member, Columbus Chamber of Commerce
- Chair, Columbus Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Steering Committee
- Chair, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Board
- Commissioner, City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission
- Ebony Magazine 30 Young Leaders of the Future
A graduate of the University of Akron, Derrick is a registered lobbyist and is affiliated with the Ohio Lobbying Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a regular political commentator on WOSU’s Columbus on the Record and WCMH NBC 4’s The Spectrum television programs. A resident of Columbus, Derrick enjoys cooking, golf, music, traveling, and especially, raising his twins Kennedy and Kole.
Ami Williams is a lobbyist and government relations specialist with finance experience, strategic research skills and targeted solutions for connecting business to state and local government. She joined New Visions Group in 2010 and became Vice President in 2019. Prior to joining NVG, she was a part of Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit, non-partisan group mobilizing grassroots outreach throughout Ohio. She has also worked on numerous non-partisan ballot issues and federal, state and local campaigns. At NVG, Ami has been responsible for initiating a robust internship program and has managed scholarship programs for clients.
Ami’s expertise includes management of and participation in a wide range of campaigns and initiatives, particularly concerning environmental and energy issues. In addition to energy aggregation ballot initiatives for several Ohio cities, Ami’s experience includes work with:
- An international charitable environmental organization to assist with Clean Energy Policy goals in the State of Ohio
- Ohio Citizen Action to help create the “Good Neighbor Campaign Handbook: How to Win”
- Several statewide and regional campaigns, including Ohio’s Marsy’s Law, Fair Districts for Ohio and Columbus Zoo Levy campaigns
- Ohio Clean Air Campaign (2011-2012) with several Ohio environmental groups
A passionate community supporter, Ami holds leadership positions in several nonprofit groups, and sits on various committees in Fairfield County, Ohio. She is Vice Chair of the Fairfield County Park District Commission, a founding member of Lancaster Alive and a former First Vice President of Fairfield Heritage Association.
Ami is a graduate of Ohio University and a registered lobbyist. She lives in Lancaster, Ohio, and enjoys volunteering, travel, cooking, wine and time with her cats.
Emiliana is an associate and lobbyist at New Visions Group. She joined the organization in 2019 and oversees the day-to-day operations of the New Visions Group Internship Program and handles administrative work as well as event planning.
A native of Bellingham, Washington, Emiliana’s career has been influenced by her family’s involvement with nonprofit agencies, immigration and family law. Her political career started early as she lobbied Washington State legislators in support of Planned Parenthood. Additionally, she was active with the Girls Scouts of America and nonprofits in Northeast Ohio. Emiliana also graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and worked in the Los Angeles fashion industry for three years.
She is a graduate of Kent State University, and a registered lobbyist. She lives in Columbus and spends her free time volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County, traveling, painting, visiting art museums and spending time with family.