Peter Schorsch
Veteran newsman Darren Richards has been named Chief Operating Officer for Tucker/Hall, one of Florida’s largest public relations firms.
Richards has been promoted from Vice President and shareholder at the Tampa-based strategic communications company, which he joined in 2009 after a 23-year career as a news executive. As head of Tucker/Hall’s crisis practice group, Richards is accredited by the Institute for Crisis Management, and received training from the Center for Creative Leadership, as well as the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
“Darren has been a tremendous contributor since coming to the firm six years ago,” said Tucker/Hall President Bill Carlson. “Everyday, he is focused on getting results for clients. But he also cares deeply about our firm and the community. I’m excited about the future with Darren in this new role.”
Carlson will continue as President, and founders Jeff Tucker and Tom Hall will remain active shareholders with the firm.
“I’m tremendously excited to take on this new role,” Richards said. “I look forward to building upon all the great work of Tucker/Hall from past 25 years and helping take the firm and our clients to new heights.”
Prior to joining Tucker/Hall, Richards’ career includes stints as news director at WTSP, the Tampa/St. Petersburg CBS affiliate. He also worked at a variety of TV stations across the country: Ft. Myers, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Phoenix, Denver and North Carolina.
Among his community activities, Richards is a Leadership Tampa graduate, a partner in the Tampa Bay Professional Alliance, a member of the Propeller Club, assistant coach at Palma Ceia Little League, and sits on the committee at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. He is also active in both international and regional groups of PROI Worldwide, the global network of independent public relations firms.
Richards earned his journalism degree from the University of Kansas where he was named the outstanding broadcast student his senior year. He lives in Tampa with his wife Deborah; they have four children.
More information about Tucker/Hall, with offices in Tampa and Jacksonville, is at TuckerHall.com.
