WASHINGTON, DC—Doug Petkus will serve as senior counsel to Widmeyer Communications, bringing more than 20 years in internal and external communications at major pharmaceutical companies. Petkus will work closely with the firm’s public affairs team to provide strategic communications to current clients and broaden the firm’s portfolio in health and wellness.

Most recently, Petkus was Vice President, Corporate Communications at Wyeth until its acquisition by Pfizer. He served as the chief corporate spokesperson, handled all financial and disclosure communications and was a key member of the firm’s issues management team.

Prior to joining Wyeth in 1996, Petkus held senior communications positions at Abbott Laboratories and Schering-Plough (now Merck). He also spent 10 years at New York-based public relations agencies handling accounts such as Wendy’s, Procter & Gamble, Kodak and the National Hockey League.