New Partner, New Hires at Eckel & Vaughan

Eckel & Vaughan (E&V) has announced a new partner at the strategic communications firm and two hires, including McGavock Edwards, formerly vice president with Baltimore-headquartered IMRE, and manager of its Raleigh office.

The firm’s new partner is Matt Ferraguto, currently E&V’s client services director and an E&V employee since 2011. Ferraguto becomes the company’s third partner, joining co-founders Harris Vaughan and Albert Eckel.

Edwards has come on board as strategic communications director. Margaret Walter, a recent intern at E&V, is the new marketing analytics specialist.

During her more than 20 years in public relations, Edwards has served well-known brands like John Deere, Black & Decker, BB&T, and GlaxoSmithKline. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, she holds her accreditation in public relations, is a PRSA Silver Anvil winner, and serves on the Southeast District Board of the Public Relations Society of America. Prior to working at IMRE, Edwards was with Epley Associates, among the state’s early public relations agencies.

Edwards commented, “The E&V team has the right platform and the smartest communications counselors in place to help clients succeed now and in the future. I’m thrilled to join such a dynamic team.”

As client services director, Ferraguto manages communications service delivery to the firm’s growing client base while overseeing the team of account managers and specialists. As a partner, the Duke University graduate will also assist Albert Eckel and Harris Vaughan with the management of agency growth.

Walter joins E&V after graduating from N.C. State University. While at NCSU, Walter was a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the communications studies honor society of the National Communication Association.

About Eckel & Vaughan

Founded in January of 2008 by communications and public affairs veterans Albert Eckel and Harris Vaughan, Eckel & Vaughan’s client base has grown steadily over the last seven years, providing the firm multiple opportunities to deliver communications plans and counseling to a diverse client base. Most recently, Eckel & Vaughan successfully launched the statewide anti-underage drinking initiative, Talk It Out, on behalf of the N.C. ABC Commission. Other representative client work includes North Hills, the N.C. Pork Council’s Whole Hog Barbecue Championship, the American Petroleum Institute, TowerCo, and the N.C. Railroad Company. For more on Eckel & Vaughan, the team, and its work, visit eandvproducti.wpengine.com.