Ben Sheidler, vice president of external communications at Equifax, brings permanent public affairs presence to Atlanta office, while TJ Tatum, former senior communications advisor to House Republican leadership, joins DC office
Cornerstone Public Affairs, a leading, bipartisan public affairs firm, announced today two new additions to its expanding team: Ben Sheidler, previously vice president of external communications at Equifax, and TJ Tatum, previously a principal at Sard Verbinnen & Co and a former senior communications advisor to Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).
“We continue to see clients looking for thoughtful, seasoned communicators who can help tell their stories to a wide variety of audiences,” Managing Director Campbell Kaufman said. “Ben and TJ have vast experience working with C-Suite leadership and will make great additions to our growing team.”
Ben, who will be based in Cornerstone’s Atlanta office, joins the firm from Equifax. He has spent his career helping companies and organizations strengthen their public perception by focusing on the intersection of corporate reputation, public policy, and crisis and issues communications. In his latest role, Ben focused on driving a new company narrative and implementing innovative communications approaches focused on measurement and impact. In addition, he was responsible for managing crisis communications, launching the company’s first online newsroom and creating other external communications content in support of the company’s transformation efforts. Before Equifax, Ben worked in various positions at The Coca-Cola Company for more than a decade, eventually serving as the director of external communications, where he helped craft public policy positions and communications strategies. He started his career in government affairs at the Georgia Beverage Association and then the American Beverage Association.
“With the ever-evolving nature of today’s media and political environment, it’s more important than ever for companies and organizations to develop impactful strategies that strengthen their reputation with policymakers and the general public,” said Sheidler. “I’m thrilled to be joining such a talented, well-regarded team at Cornerstone, and I look forward to helping the firm’s clients achieve their goals.”
With nearly 15 years of experience in communications, public affairs, government and politics, TJ joins Cornerstone from Sard Verbinnen & Co. (SVC), a strategic communications firm where he served as a principal in the firm’s public affairs practice. At SVC, TJ provided strategic counsel on stakeholder engagement, trade and regulatory issues, government investigations, crisis management and long-term corporate positioning programs. Prior to joining SVC, TJ served as an associate director at Finsbury, a global strategic communications consultancy, in its New York office where he advised clients on all aspects of financial communications in connection with bankruptcies, high-profile mergers and acquisitions and other special situations. Before his time in the private sector, he served in House Republican leadership as deputy director of communications for then-Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), where he developed and executed messaging and communications strategy for the Whip and the broader House Republican leadership team. During his time on the Hill, TJ also served as communications director of the Republican Study Committee and in policy and communications roles for members of the Florida and Texas congressional delegations. TJ also has deep political experience having worked on numerous congressional, gubernatorial and state house campaigns.
“I am excited to join one of the most talented and respected teams of government relations and public affairs professionals in Washington,” Tatum said. “I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues and tapping my unique skills and experience advising both corporate and congressional leaders to provide Cornerstone’s clients with strategic counsel that helps them tell their stories in a compelling manner, navigate high-stakes situations and move the needle so that they can achieve their desired business and policy outcomes.”
Founded in 2017, Cornerstone Public Affairs is a bipartisan firm dedicated to helping our clients effectively tell their story and anticipate and navigate the complexities that occur at the intersection of policy, politics, and public perception to achieve their desired objectives. Our senior professionals with diverse experience in public relations, business, media and government provide bespoke counsel, develop thoughtful communication strategies, advise on messaging and reputation management, overcome crises, and build long-term plans.