Hodges Partnership sold to 4 SVPs

Ownership of The Hodges Partnership will transition within the firm, the Richmond-based public relations firm announced Wednesday.

Four senior vice presidents have entered into an ownership agreement with the firm’s founding partners, CEO Jon Newman and Josh Dare. The agreement takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will “incrementally transfer ownership” of the firm to the senior vice presidents over the next several years, according to a news release. Additionally, Dare will retire Dec. 31.

The four senior vice presidents buying the firm are: Lindsay O’Bar, client services and culture; Paulyn Ocampo, client and agency operations; Sean Ryan, media relations; and Greg Surber, research and insights. They will continue to work on client accounts and maintain their management responsibilities.

“For all practical purposes, this senior team has been effectively leading Hodges over the past several years, and each of them has respected reputations in the public relations, business and civic communities of Richmond,” Newman said in a statement. “Josh and I are thrilled to be able to turn the keys over to a group of professionals in whom we have complete confidence to carry the Hodges torch.”

Newman and Dare founded Hodges in 2002. The 23-person firm’s clients include the Virginia Community College System, Kroger Mid-Atlantic, Hilldrup, Richmond Region Tourism, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Mercy Chefs and Estes Express Lines.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Jon and Josh for the trust they’ve placed in our team to carry Hodges forward. … We’re thrilled by the opportunity to shape Hodges’ next chapter,” Ryan — the agency’s second hire in 2003 — said in a statement.

Though Dare is retiring, Newman is keeping his ownership stake over the next several years and will continue to serve as CEO “for the foreseeable future,” according to a news release.

Dare met Newman at The Martin Agency, where Dare was senior communications officer. Previously, he had held public affairs posts at the FBI and the National Endowment for the Arts, been a press secretary in Congress and helped to found two tech startups.

“Founding and growing Hodges with my friend Jon Newman has been the most professionally gratifying achievement of my career,” Dare said in a statement. “And while I will miss my incredible colleagues and clients, I look forward to downshifting gears with more travel, grandparenting, volunteering, creative writing and maybe even some accordion lessons, so apologies in advance.”