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.
Accountability, Responsibility, Focus and Teamwork are four words that have guided Derrick Clay throughout his professional career. His passion for politics and business date back to his days as student body president in high school and later as president of the Undergraduate Student Government at his alma mater, the University of Akron.
Recognized by Ebony Magazine as one of the nation’s 30 young leaders of the future, Business First of Columbus as one of its “40 under 40” business leaders and by Smart Magazine as one of its “smart leaders,” Derrick has established his position in politics and business.
Derrick joined New Visions Group in 2004 as vice president and partner after a career in state and national politics. He acquired the firm in 2014 and assumed the title of President/CEO.
Previously, he served as Midwest Political Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Ohio State Director for the Gore-Lieberman 2000 Presidential Campaign and a staff member of the historic Florida Re-count Committee. He also was the Ohio State Director for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Hero Program and Field Director for the Ohio Democratic Party.
Early in his career, Derrick served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC), as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives to former Assistant Majority Leader and Finance Committee Chair Vernon Sykes and to the late Representative Jack Ford.
A proud University of Akron “Zip,” Derrick is a 1994 graduate with a degree in business and organizational communication. In February 2001, he received an honorary certificate from the University of Akron’s Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, and in 2004, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Akron’s Office of Multicultural Development.
His affiliations include The Ohio Lobbying Association, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Derrick is also a board member of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and serves as the board secretary to the Columbus Symphony, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) where he was the former board chair and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce government affairs steering committee. Derrick is also a regular political commentator on WOSU’s Columbus on the Record television show.
Derrick’s most rewarding responsibility is raising his teenage twins Kennedy and Kole. He also enjoys cooking, golf and traveling.
Dedicated to giving her all at everything she does, Ami treats every client engagement as if it was the firm’s biggest project. Her ability to navigate the ups and downs of the business is a quality that we’ve come to truly value. Ami puts both love and passion into her work, forging solid relationships with clients as well as engaging in a variety of community organizations and causes in Fairfield County, which she calls “home.” From Lancaster Alive to the Fairfield Heritage Association, Ami makes significant contributions to her community. She loves to cook and says her guilty pleasure is wine, although it doesn’t make her feel guilty. If Ami could have dinner with anyone in history, she would hold a dinner party with Shirley Chisholm, Margaret Chase Smith, Hilary Clinton, and Barack Obama as guests. We wonder what would be the main course – and what kind of wine?
EDUCATION
- Ohio University: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy
- University of Laval: Certificate, French Language and Studies
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Lancaster Alive, Board Member
- Fairfield Heritage Association, Secretary
- Democratic Executive Committee Member
- Fairfield County Young Democrats, Founding Member and Treasurer
- Fairfield County Women’s Caucus, Treasurer