Dave DenHerder is a managing partner at PLUS Communications. A veteran communications expert with more than 30 years of public relations, public affairs, grassroots and political experience. From leading one of the world’s largest PR firms to driving double-digit growth for multiple grassroots and public affairs firms, Dave’s communications expertise includes decades of work advising companies through difficult challenges. He serves as strategic counsel for multinational corporations, trade associations and non-profit organizations, advising C-Suite executives on corporate reputation, crisis communications and issue advocacy campaigns. Dave’s extensive communications experience spans the automotive, energy – specifically renewable energy – agriculture and finance sectors.
He previously served as the U.S. chief executive officer of Burson-Marsteller (now Burson Cohn & Wolfe), one of the largest global public relations and communications firms. He led U.S. operations and oversaw a diverse portfolio of clients managing public affairs, crisis management, corporate reputation and media relations campaigns. Dave also served as the WPP global account lead for Ford Motor Company, managing the communications business in North America, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia for nearly a decade. Prior, Dave was chief executive officer of Direct Impact, Burson’s grassroots subsidiary – running winning grassroots campaigns across the U.S.
In addition, Dave spent more than a decade in national and statewide politics. He was a regional political director for the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2004, managing political and grassroots operations in the Midwest. During President George W. Bush’s administration, Dave served as White House liaison and special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Labor. He also worked on the Bush-Cheney campaign in 2000 and various major statewide races.
What you may not know about Dave
A native of Logan, Iowa, Dave graduated from Baylor University.