Cooksey Communications has named Colby Walton as president. Founder Gail Cooksey will become chairman and CEO, and Jason Meyer will continue his position on the leadership team as executive vice president and partner.
“As part of the long-term succession plan for our company, Colby and Jason will assume the day-to-day leadership for our firm,” Cooksey said. “Jason and Colby have been partners and leaders in the company for many years, and the three of us share the same vision and goals.”
Walton, who previously served as the agency’s executive vice president and partner, joined Cooksey Communications in 1998 and has more than two decades of specialized experience in professional services/B2B marketing and municipal communications. He graduated cum laude with an A.B. in public policy studies and history from Duke University and completed his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law.
His extensive community leadership includes serving on the board of the Duke Club of North Texas, Leadership Fort Worth and the Virginia Morris Kincaid Foundation. He has also spoken extensively on legal marketing and municipal communications topics at prominent industry conferences and events.
“I am honored to serve in a new leadership role and keep building on this agency’s extraordinary legacy,” said Walton. “As we proactively look to the future, we remain keenly focused on leveraging our deep sector expertise, strong statewide connections and outstanding team of skilled professionals, armed with the latest communications tools, to deliver unmatched consultative guidance, powerful creative and messaging strategies, and exceptional execution for our distinguished client roster.”
Meyer joined Cooksey in 2011 after a long career in both politics and communications in North Texas. Over his two-decade career, he has developed integrated marketing communications efforts for some of the Southwest region’s most recognizable companies, professional services firms and real estate companies.
He is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a business degree in economics, and previously served in the U.S. Navy. His significant community and professional affiliations include the Dallas Regional Chamber, the North Texas Commission and the National Association of Real Estate Editors.
Cooksey started Cooksey Communications in 1994 after 20 years in the corporate public relations and marketing world. She graduated cum laude from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism degree. She serves on the boards of the North Texas Commission, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Friday Group.
Among the many clients for the firm are the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Worth, Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition and Freese and Nichols.