Employee-owned Archer Names Rob VanGorden New CEO

Archer, a 70-plus-year-old full-service independent agency, has hired Rob VanGorden as its new CEO, effective June 3.

VanGorden was previously managing principal, chief development officer at The Richards Group (TRG) in Dallas, where he spent the past 25 years. He is relocating to Memphis and will take the CEO reins from Russ Williams, who will become Archer’s CFO while continuing as the agency’s board of directors chairman.

“With its 70-year track record of success, Archer has the staying power that is rare in our industry—almost unheard of. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of the next chapter in Archer’s success story? My new position at Archer represents personal career growth and, importantly, allows me to make a meaningful impact at a leading agency that shares my values. It’s the right opportunity at the right time,” VanGorden told ADWEEK.

VanGorden’s hiring comes almost a year after Archer rebranded from Archer Malmo. In 2022, the partners of Archer completed the sale of the company to the employees through an employee stock ownership plan.

“Ever since we sold our agency to our employees in 2022, I have been carefully networking throughout the industry to find the right CEO for our vision and future. We needed someone who would fall in love with both the agency we are and the agency we can be and lead us forward from our authentic selves,” Williams told ADWEEK.

Williams continued that VanGorden has a growth mindset and a track record of building great advertising and great brands.

“The way he thinks about building great advertising and great brands mirrors ours. As I have been told by his many fans, he is a person of exceptional character and we are very fortunate to have him at the helm,” said Williams.

VanGorden hopes to lead Archer to be one of the most sought-after agencies in the country.

“I’ll make sure that I do everything I can to support the vibrant culture at Archer—a culture where everyone, every single person, feels valued, heard and comfortable bringing their authentic self to work every day,” said VanGorden.

Williams said that the agency hopes for organic growth through its existing clients and relationships. Since the agency sold to its employees, Archer seeks to strengthen its brand and expand its client base.

“Rob and I both believe that our talent-first culture housed in a fiercely independent, employee-owned agency bodes well for our talent development and talent acquisition moving forward,” said Williams.

Archer’s client roster includes Palm Beach Tan, Wind Creek Hospitality, American Snuff Company, Virbac, Riverbeat Music Festival, Smokeslam BBQ Festival and Capital Farm Credit.