Darby Communications, the Asheville, North Carolina-based PR and digital marketing agency serving the outdoor active lifestyle market, is starting the back half of 2026 with three strategic promotions on its leadership team, reflecting the agency’s continued investment in its people as it approaches its 20th anniversary.
The promotions of Cory Van Auken to chief operating officer, Suzanne Hermann to VP of client services, and Katie Richter to director of Outdoor PR reportedly come “on the heels of significant agency growth,” the agency said this recent growth includes continued expansion into the hunt and fish markets, a deepening of its outdoor specialty and endurance sports portfolio, and a recent brand refresh that reflects the agency’s evolution and maturity.
“Cory, Suzanne, and Katie have each played a defining role in shaping this agency into what it is today. As we head into our 20th year, I couldn’t be prouder of this team or more confident in where we’re headed.”stated Angie Robinson, president and partner, Darby Communications.
Coral Darby, founder and partner, Darby Communications, added, “Along with my agency partners, Angie Robinson and Cory Van Auken, we’re excited to usher in this new leadership structure to ensure the agency is set for continued expansion and to position us to keep innovating across the outdoor, hunt, fish, and endurance industries.”
Cory Van Auken, chief operating officer (COO) and partner, joined Darby Communications in 2018, building his career at the agency from account executive to digital marketing director to VP of operations and partner. In his new role as COO, Van Auken will take full ownership of the agency’s financial health, strategic planning, business development, and the operational systems that keep the agency running at its best.
“Cory’s thirst for knowledge and innovation will continue to drive the agency’s growth and offerings across all services,? the agency said in a recent media release.
Suzanne Hermann, VP of client services, celebrated her 10th anniversary with Darby Communications in 2026. Before joining the team, she spent nearly a decade as a broadcast news producer at WLOS News 13 in Asheville. Drawing from that experience, Suzanne has developed expert editorial instincts and leadership qualities that have defined her career in PR at Darby Communications.
As VP of client services, Hermann is expected to oversee the health of client relationships across the agency, lead and mentor the client team, guide media strategy across all departments, and ensure the quality and consistency of work delivered agency-wide.
Katie Richter, director of Outdoor PR, has been with Darby Communications since 2018, growing through every level of the account team from account coordinator to senior account executive to assistant media relations director.
As the project manager on Darby Communications’ flagship outdoor accounts, this move to director of Outdoor PR is seen as a natural next step.
In her new role, Richter is tasked with leading the Outdoor department, providing strategic oversight and senior media relations support across outdoor accounts.
Images courtesy Darby Communications, Cory Van Auken/LinkedIn, Suzanne Hermann/LinkedIn, and Katie Richter/LinkedIn
