Rich Herbst

Founding Ascend in 2004, Managing Director Rich Herbst provides the visionary leadership behind our unique approach to marketing services, based on more than 30 years of experience in marketing and sales support.

The core of his background is in business-to-business services marketing and consumer packaged goods with firms such as Verizon Communications, ConAgra Frozen Foods, and James River Corp. He has solid expertise in the software, retail, restaurant, and real estate industries, where he has worked with small start-ups as well as large firms.

Rich served as a strategic leader in Verizon, leading a team that launched high speed internet and other online services for small and medium businesses.

Rich received his MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, an MDiv from the Brite School / TCU, and a BS in Education from the University of Maryland.  

Rich is interested in music, spirituality, philosophy and nature. He aspires to one day write books on spirituality and philosophy.