WASHINGTON, DC — Pam Jenkins has been appointed president of the global affairs practice at Weber Shandwick as longtime lead Ranny Cooper steps down.

Cooper held the role for 24 years and will continue consulting with the agency and lead special projects. Jenkins served as president of Powell Tate, Weber Shandwick's DC subsidiary, for more than a decade, during which period the firm tripled in size.

"Ranny Cooper's impact on the growth and success of Weber Shandwick's public affairs practice is impossible to overstate," said Andy Polansky, CEO, Weber Shandwick. "But after 12 years of working alongside Ranny, Pam's presence offers the firm and its clients both a natural transition and a reason to expect additional years of success and growth."

For her global public affairs role, Jenkins will report to Gail Heimann, president, Weber Shandwick. Additionally, she will report to Sara Gavin, North American president, Weber Shandwick, for her oversight of the firm's DC, Baltimore and Southwest offices. 

In her new role, Jenkins will focus on driving growth across Weber Shandwick's global public affairs network, including oversight of Powell Tate and KRC Research, a global opinion research and strategy firm. She will also oversee Weber Shandwick's regional offices in Baltimore and the Southwest. Prior to Powell Tate, she spent a decade as managing director at Ogilvy. 

To succeed Jenkins, Paul Massey has been promoted to president of Powell Tate after nearly seven years as EVP of Weber Shandwick's global social impact practice. He will retain his role as head of the global social impact practice. Meanwhile, Peter Carson, MD of public affairs at Powell Tate, expands his role to include public affairs oversight for Weber Shandwick in North America. His additional responsibilities include overseeing Weber Shandwick Sacramento and expanding public affairs capabilities across its offices in North America.