Next-Gen Leadership: Jake Brus Named President of Wixted & Company

DES MOINES, IA – July 01, 2026

Wixted & Company, a nationally recognized strategic communications advisory, today marks a pivotal moment in its 35-year history with the official promotion of Jake Brus to the role of President. The move, part of a long-term leadership plan, sees founder Eileen Wixted continue as Chief Executive Officer, creating a dual-leadership structure designed to fortify the firm's growth and navigate an increasingly complex global communications landscape.

A New Chapter of Leadership

This transition is framed not as a departure, but as a strategic evolution. By appointing Brus as President, the firm creates a more scalable leadership model. Brus will now oversee the firm's day-to-day operations and team leadership, while Wixted focuses her efforts on high-level client service, strategic counsel, and business development. This division of roles ensures continuity for its national client base while simultaneously positioning the company for its next chapter of expansion.

Eileen Wixted, who founded the company over three decades ago, expressed her full confidence in the transition. “Jake has demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic insight and an unwavering commitment to our clients and our values since joining the company in 2012,” said Wixted. “He has played a pivotal role in our growth by strengthening operational processes and earning the trust of our clients and colleagues. I have every confidence in his ability to lead Wixted & Company into its next chapter.”

Brus, who has been with the advisory for 14 years, steps into the presidency from his previous role as vice president and managing director. His promotion is the culmination of a decade-plus of contributions that have been integral to the firm’s success.

“This is an exciting opportunity to lead Wixted & Company into its next chapter and build on the strong foundation Eileen created more than 35 years ago,” Brus stated. The move is a textbook example of seamless succession planning, a challenge many professional services firms face. By elevating a long-tenured, trusted internal leader, the company ensures that its core values and deep institutional knowledge are carried forward.

The Next Generation Meets Evolving Challenges

Brus’s ascension comes at a time when the strategic communications industry is facing profound disruption. Clients are no longer just seeking media placements; they require sophisticated partners to navigate challenges ranging from the rapid spread of misinformation and cybersecurity crises to the integration of artificial intelligence in communication strategies.

His focus aligns directly with these modern demands. “Our clients are navigating increasingly complex communication challenges, and we remain focused on delivering strategic counsel that helps organizations build trust, strengthen reputations and achieve their business objectives,” Brus remarked.

The industry itself is being reshaped by technology. AI is moving from a futuristic concept to a daily tool, enabling predictive analysis and real-time sentiment tracking, which are critical in crisis management. The media landscape has fragmented into a complex ecosystem of traditional outlets, influential content creators, and niche digital platforms. For leaders like Brus, the challenge is not just to keep pace but to leverage these shifts to deliver measurable business outcomes for clients, moving the conversation from “show me coverage” to “show me clarity and impact.”

Brus’s background makes him uniquely suited for this environment. Holding a master’s degree in public communication from American University, his career has been marked by a focus on strengthening strategic planning capabilities and operational processes—skills essential for building the agile, data-driven advisory firms of the future. His recognition as a 2025 Des Moines Business Record '40 under 40' honoree further signals his status as a prominent next-generation leader in the business community.

Building on a Legacy of Trust and Expertise

While Brus steers the operational ship, Eileen Wixted’s continued role as CEO ensures the firm’s foundational expertise remains at the core of its client service. A former Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Wixted founded the firm after recognizing a critical gap: businesses needed to be better prepared to communicate proactively and manage their stories in a demanding media environment.

Over 35 years, she has built a national powerhouse from its Iowa headquarters, becoming a recognized expert in high-stakes crisis communications. Her deep specialization is particularly evident in heavily regulated and complex industries. The firm's client roster includes more than half of the commercially owned and operated nuclear power plants in North America, as well as hundreds of hospitals, all of whom rely on her team for expert counsel, training, and crisis support.

This deep industry knowledge is the bedrock of the company’s reputation. Wixted's decision to remain as CEO allows her to maintain her focus on what she does best: providing unparalleled strategic counsel to C-suite executives facing their most critical challenges. Her continued involvement is a powerful statement of stability and a guarantee to clients that the wisdom and experience that built the firm are not just being preserved, but are actively guiding its future. This dual-leadership structure leverages the best of both worlds: the founder’s invaluable experience and the new president’s forward-looking operational vision.

A National Force with Deep Des Moines Roots

The leadership evolution at Wixted & Company is also a story of local success scaling to national influence. Headquartered in Des Moines, the firm has consistently demonstrated that top-tier strategic counsel is not confined to coastal megacities. Its recognition as a 2026 PR NEWS Agency Elite Top 120 firm places it among the most influential advisories in the country, a testament to its quality of work and industry standing.

Both Wixted and Brus are deeply embedded in the local community. Wixted was named the Des Moines Business Record's 2016 Woman Business Owner of the Year, while Brus’s '40 under 40' award highlights his own impact. His community involvement extends to serving on the board of the PRSA Iowa Chapter and as a governor-appointed member of the Iowa Arts Council, reflecting a commitment to both his profession and his community.

This combination of national reach and local commitment strengthens the Des Moines business ecosystem, providing high-level professional service jobs and showcasing the region as a viable home for industry-leading companies. As Wixted & Company embarks on its next phase under the joint guidance of Wixted and Brus, it does so from a position of strength, bolstered by a proven track record, a clear vision for the future, and deep roots in the community it calls home. The firm's model underscores how regional expertise can drive national impact, helping organizations across the country build trust and protect their reputations in an ever-changing world.