NEW YORK—Gary Sheffer, formerly chief communications officer at General Electric, has joined Weber Shandwick as a senior corporate strategist. Based in New York, Sheffer will work closely with Weber Shandwick's leadership team providing counsel to the firm's clients on corporate, executive reputation and engagement, cultural, and governance issues.

Before he stepped down two years ago, Sheffer served as GE's vice president for communications and public affairs for 13 years. Sheffer was responsible for GE's global external and internal communications including media relations, employee engagement and public affairs.

According to Micho Spring, chair of the global corporate practice at Weber Shandwick, "Gary brings deep, relevant and timely expertise building culture and corporate reputation as well as in risk management—all crucial in our current environment."

During 16 years at General Electric Company, including six as chief communications officer, Sheffer played a key role in many of the company’s signature initiatives, including the “ecomagination” commitment to balancing innovation and sustainability and the GE Works content platform that placed an emphasis on bringing company stories to life. He was presented with a SABRE Award for Oustanding Individual Achievement in 2015.

Sheffer joined GE in 1999, and served as executive director of communications and public affairs at GE Railcar Services and was also responsible employee communications before being elevated to vice president of communications and public affairs in 2003. Earlier, he spent nearly two decades in journalism and government communications, including serving as a press aide to two New York governors.