Darren Richards is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the firm. He works with a variety of clients – from those with strategic communications needs to those in crisis situations.

He has been accredited in crisis communications by the Institute for Crisis Management. He has also been certified by the Yale School of Management in digital strategy.

Richards joined the firm in 2009 after a 23-year career as a news executive at some of the strongest TV stations in the country.

In addition to managing the firm and helping clients, Richards is very active in the community. He recently completed a term as president of the Propeller Club – Port of Tampa, a maritime industry advocacy organization. Currently, Richards serves as Chair of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. Richards and Tucker/Hall have been active with the Ybor City Chamber for decades but became even more involved in recent years as the firm moved its Tampa headquarters to a historic building on Ybor City’s famous 7th Avenue.

Richards also serves on the boards of the Maritime Alliance, the Saint Leo University Communication and Marketing Industry Council, and the Tampa Bay Chamber, among others. Richards is a graduate of Leadership Tampa, and Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 40.

At Tucker/Hall, Richards has transformed the firm into an agency that not only continues to provide high-level strategic advice but one that helps businesses, individuals, and organizations with digital challenges, like Online Reputation Management (ORM), digital advocacy, social media strategy, content marketing, and cyber security incidents.

Before joining Tucker/Hall, Richards was news director at WTSP-TV, the CBS affiliate in Tampa Bay. Under Richards’ leadership, WTSP went through a dramatic and forward-looking branding process, positioning the operation as a leader not only on TV but also on a variety of digital platforms including online and mobile.

Prior to that, Richards was news director at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina – one of the most successful CBS affiliates in the country. During his media career, Richards also worked at TV stations in Phoenix, Denver, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and in his home state of Kansas. During each of these assignments, Richards created and launched innovative news products, including websites, mobile products, and other digital assets.

Throughout his broadcast career, Richards was recognized with multiple Emmys, Edward R. Murrows, Associated Press, and Society of Professional Journalist awards. In Tampa Bay, the WTSP-TV newsroom was consistently the most honored newsroom in Florida during Richards’ leadership.

Richards received his journalism degree from the University of Kansas, where he was recognized as the top broadcast journalism student his senior year.