Michelle Ubben, partner and longtime chief operating officer of Sachs Media Group, has been named president of the Tallahassee-based PR and public affairs firm.

Michelle UbbenMichelle Ubben

The announcement was made today by SMG founder and CEO Ron Sachs.

Ubben, who joined SMG in 1998, managed the agency’s staff and client roster while overseeing the firm’s daily operations. She previously served as a communication director for the Florida Department of Children and Families as well as the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

Sachs Media GroupThe Sachs Media Group leadership team (from L-R): Michelle Ubben, President; Ron Sachs, CEO and founder; Ryan Cohn, executive vice president; and Lisa Garcia, chief operating officer.

Sachs announced other key appointments as well. Lisa Garcia, former senior VP of public relations, now succeeds Ubben in the chief operating officer post and will also lead the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

Ryan Cohn, former VP of social and digital media, has been promoted to executive vice president.

Sachs, which specializes in crisis, public affairs, digital media and corporate and organizational branding, was founded in 1996.

The agency, which maintains additional offices in Orlando, Boca Raton and Washington, D.C., accounted for nearly $6.9 million in net fees last year and is one of the top Florida PR firms.