Firms adds longtime government affairs and campaign manager Chris Carpenter and corporate communications expert Ben Sheidler to Georgia office
Cornerstone Government Affairs, a leading bipartisan public affairs and consulting firm, announced today two new additions to its Georgia team, adding a permanent public affairs presence to the Atlanta office and bolstering its government relations practice. Chris Carpenter, a recognized political strategist in the state, will focus on government relations support. Ben Sheidler, former vice president of external communications at Equifax, launches the firm’s public affairs presence in Georgia to provide strategic communications services for clients.
“Adding Chris and Ben to our already exceptional team will give clients and potential clients a new level of expertise and relationships,” Managing Director Campbell Kaufman said. “We could not be happier to have these true professionals joining us.”
An attorney and consultant who has worked in politics, government and public affairs in Washington, DC and throughout the South, Chris most recently served as a partner with the with the Garrett McNatt Hennessey & Carpenter 360 team in Atlanta. Throughout his career, Chris has worked with clients to develop and execute strategic public affairs solutions at all levels of government and policy. As a political consultant and policy strategist he is a veteran of numerous Democratic federal, state and local races. With extensive experience on Democratic gubernatorial, statewide, congressional, and ballot initiative campaigns, Campaigns and Elections magazine has recognized him as one of the leading “Georgia Influencers,” naming him one of the “Top 10” political insiders in the state. Chris has also been named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by Georgia Trend magazine and a “Rising Star in the Legal Community” by the FCDR. In government, Chris served as legislative counsel to Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, and as the chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor. He also served as the legal adviser to several committees in the Georgia General Assembly. Chris also worked in the private sector as a trial lawyer. He is a cum laude graduate of Wofford College, and holds a J.D. from the Emory University School of Law.
“I am thrilled to join such a talented team of professionals,” said Carpenter. “Cornerstone has a stellar reputation for client service and a proven track record of delivering results. I look forward to contributing to that success in Georgia and across the country.”
Ben joins the firm as the first public affairs and strategic communications professional working in the Atlanta office. 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 is more important than ever for companies and organizations to develop impactful strategies that strengthen their reputation with policy makers and the general public,” said Sheidler. “I am 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.”
Chris and Ben join the well-established Atlanta office team that includes that includes Jeff Hamling, Sally Kilpatrick, Louie Perry and Jerry Usry.