Robin Derryberry

Partner
Derryberry Public Relations

AAPC caught up with new Gold Member, Robin Derryberry.

---

AAPC: Who do you look up to in the industry?

Robin: There are too many to list on both sides of the aisle; however, I tend to look toward those who can build bridges rather than nuke them!

AAPC: What do you love about politics?

Robin: EVERYTHING is political. Trying to sway opinion based upon fact is what tends to set us apart from others. Integrity is everything.

AAPC: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Robin: There’s only one version of the truth.

AAPC: Where do you go when you need to be inspired?

Robin: It depends. I live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of the best places to enjoy the outdoors. It’s also a great big small city. You can find stories of small business people making a difference. You can also find generations of businesses that encourage others to do well, be better, and stand out. That’s pretty inspirational to me.

AAPC: Why did you join AAPC?

Robin: I’m tired of the mess so many who claim to have backgrounds in politics have made on the local, state and federal levels. There needs to be more accountability and credibility within the industry and you can’t demand it if you aren’t part of it. Goes back to integrity.

AAPC: How did you recover from your first campaign loss?

Robin: It was pretty personal. I took a hard look at the loss. Was there anything I would have done differently? (No). Was there a line I should have crossed but didn’t? (No). Did I still believe I had the best candidate? (You bet!). Would I be willing to support this candidate in the future? (Absolutely). Six months later, something pretty amazing happened. The candidate had the opportunity to be appointed to the office he sought. He chose not to do it. It was the best decision for him because it allowed him to complete the campaign on his own terms. It’s something he never looked back on. Neither did I.

AAPC: How do you manage high-stress situations?

Robin: Prioritization. No matter how late I may leave the office (or shut off the light), I’ll always have a ‘hit list’ for the next day. It may get blown apart before I come into the office, but it’s there waiting to give me some perspective on a new day.

AAPC: Why is being part of a bipartisan organization valuable to you?

Robin: I’m hoping that there are others who can “disagree agreeably”. Focus on what’s important without screaming, debate civilly, and try to work our country back toward having conversations from different perspectives without getting personal. Any consensus builders out there? Let’s talk!