James Dickey
Former Chairman, Republican Party of Texas
James Dickey leads strategy at JD Key Consulting. Blake Sbrocco is Vice President and works directly with clients. James chaired the Republican Party of Texas from 2017 to 2020.
What James does
On a client matter, James Dickey leads strategy. He listens to local concerns, maps who supports a project and who objects, and helps the company decide what to say in public. He gives interviews, writes op-eds, and prepares testimony.
Blake Sbrocco, Vice President, takes part in that work. The firm works beside the client’s own team, counsel, technical specialists, lobbyists, and public relations staff.
The work is aimed at Texas cities, counties, and districts. State and federal assistance can be included when the issue calls for it.
Public service now
James serves on the board of Cypress Ranch Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. A water control and improvement district is a local Texas district. The board’s duty is to the district.
Board service is separate from client work. That experience informs how James approaches infrastructure, public concerns, and the responsibilities of local officials.
Earlier record
From 2017 to 2020, James chaired the Republican Party of Texas. Before that, he led the Travis County Republican Party from 2014 to 2017.
Industry and teaching
- Co-founder and chief operating officer, iMGA, an Austin insurance firm
- Board member, iManaging General Agency Holdings, LLC
- Earlier roles at Citi, Kemper Insurance, Great American Insurance, and Republic Group
- Member, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC)
- Adjunct graduate faculty, University of St. Thomas in Houston, Master of Public Policy and Administration program (2023), teaching state legislatures and the legislative process
Education
- Stanford University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in English
- Baylor University, Master of Business Administration
Media
Texas is uniquely positioned to lead in the global race for AI leadership
Bylined commentary on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) large-load interconnection rule.
Read extended excerptJames Dickey discusses Texas House and Senate interim charges affecting data center development, grid infrastructure, and water policy.
National outlets that have quoted or aired James include Fox News, C-SPAN, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, the New York Times, the New York Post, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, Newsweek, CNBC, Business Insider, Politico, and The Hill.
Texas outlets include the Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Bend Herald, Texas Monthly, Texas Observer, and Texas Tribune. He has appeared on Spectrum News Austin’s Capital Tonight, FOX 7 Austin, WFAA’s Inside Texas Politics, KXAN, and NPR affiliates KUT, Texas Public Radio, and KERA News.
James hosts the Winning On Issues podcast.
Frequently asked questions
Who is James Dickey?
James Dickey founded JD Key Consulting and leads client strategy. He chaired the Republican Party of Texas from 2017 to 2020. Blake Sbrocco is Vice President and works directly with clients.
What does James do on a client matter?
James Dickey leads strategy. He listens, maps support and objections, and helps decide the public case. He also gives interviews, writes op-eds, and prepares testimony. Blake Sbrocco takes part in that work. The firm works beside the client team, counsel, technical specialists, lobbyists, and public relations staff.
What public office does James hold now?
James serves on the board of Cypress Ranch Water Control and Improvement District No. 1. The district posts its board at https://cypressranchwcid.org/board-directors. That public service is separate from client work.
What is his earlier record?
James chaired the Republican Party of Texas from 2017 to 2020 and the Travis County Republican Party from 2014 to 2017. He holds degrees from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Baylor University. He has worked in insurance and has served on the Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. In 2023 he was adjunct graduate faculty at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
How does James work with an existing company team?
He brings independent judgment, business experience, and another public voice. James works with the client team and its advisers to agree on facts, responsibilities, and the public case.
Learn more
Tell us where the decision stands
James Dickey leads strategy. Blake Sbrocco, Vice President, is part of the work.