Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Ken Sheffer is counselor to Heritage Foundation President Ed Feulner. In this capacity, he serves as Feulner's chief personal adviser on Heritage's Asia policy.

Sheffer served as special assistant to the lieutenant governor of New York in 1979. In 1980, he served on the campaign of then-candidate Ronald Reagan and then on the Presidential Transition Team until Reagan's inauguration in 1981.

Sheffer then served in the White House on the National Security Council staff from 1981-1982. In 1982, he helped form an international business consulting firm. The firm specialized in market access issues, pursuit of major infrastructure projects and government contracts and strategic guidance and planning for companies looking at opportunities in both Asia and Europe.

In 1985, Sheffer relocated to Seoul, South Korea, where he opened the branch office of the consulting firm and served concurrently as president of the Asian office and the Washington, D.C. office. During his 11-year stay in Korea, Sheffer oversaw all of the company's Asian projects including its work with the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Sheffer was appointed a special assistant to the head of the Seoul Olympics in late 1985. He served in that capacity until 1989.

Sheffer was also appointed in 1985 as the Asia representative and assistant to the president of The Heritage Foundation.

Sheffer received a bachelor's degree in political science from Siena College in Albany, N.Y. In 1988, he was awarded the Olympic Medal of Honor by the President of the Seoul Olympics. In 1992, he received the Presidential Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service from the President of South Korea – an award usually granted only to those with rank of ambassador.