John Darby was born in Charleston, SC. With family roots tracing back for generations, John understands the area, its people and Charleston tradition. Community involvement is a big part of that tradition. He serves as The Beach Company’s President and CEO in addition to serving as Chairman on Board of Directors. John’s community and industry involvement consists of dozens of various organizations to include The Chief Executive Organization, The Citadel Real Estate Foundation, Palmetto Business Forum, Trident CEO Council and Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation, to name a few. In 2014, the Darby family received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Lowcountry Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Upon graduating from The Citadel in 1985, John started his career in banking with First Union Mortgage Corporation where he worked in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC, Orlando, FL, and Columbia, SC. In 1990, John returned to Charleston to lead the family business, and became president in 1999.

Active in more than 25 cities throughout the Southeast, today, and employing over 350, The Beach Company has grown to one of South Carolina’s largest privately-owned businesses, ranking in the Top 40 privately-owned business firms in the state.