Scott Widmeyer has a 30-year record in providing strategic counsel to scores of decision-makers, from presidents to governors to chief executive officers to union leaders. From working as a newspaper reporter in the 1970s to running major media operations for national campaigns, Widmeyer knows how to get results for his clients. His track record of successes in education, health care, politics, campaign finance, technology, trade and other public policy matters illustrate his impact as a “change agent” in things that matter most to America. Clients regularly turn to Widmeyer for advice on economic development issues, marketing strategies, coalition building and crisis management. He founded Widmeyer Communications in 1988, building on a career in newspaper reporting and serving in major communications positions for five highly respected leaders -- former President Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Walter Mondale, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro and the late Albert Shanker.

Widmeyer is active in a number of civic and philanthropic causes from his base in New York and Washington. In 2007, he was named a David Rockefeller Fellow, a highly coveted one-year program of the New York City Partnership. He also was the longest-serving board chair of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, as well as serving on the board of GLAAD. His current board memberships include the New York City Leadership Academy, the Education Writers Association (advisory board), Bizbash and Council for Unity. In addition, he is active in the Council of Public Relations Firms, Public Relations Organisation International, Friends of the High Line, the National Press Club, the Appalachian Community Fund, St. Gregory’s Church, and PENCIL.

Widmeyer is a graduate of West Virginia University (WVU) where he has established two scholarship funds to benefit African-American and first-generation West Virginians seeking a degree in journalism. To date, more than 30 students have benefited from these scholarships, and in 2005, Widmeyer and his firm established the Widmeyer Communications Professorship in Public Relations, the first of its kind in the nation. Widmeyer has served as a Visiting Professor at the P. I. Reed School of Journalism and has been a guest lecturer at Brown University, the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University. Continuing his commitment to his alma mater, Widmeyer chairs the Advisory Committee for the WVU School of Journalism. In 2003, he received West Virginia University’s most prestigious award in journalism -- The P. I. Reed Achievement Award.

In 2005, then West Virginia Governor Bob Wise bestowed upon Widmeyer the “Distinguished West Virginian Award,” the highest honor provided by the chief executive of the state, recognizing his outstanding achievements and meritorious service to his home state of West Virginia.

Show full bio

Hide full bio