Shad Balch is Western Region Manager of Product & Policy Communications at Chevrolet. Shad joined GM in 2010 after more than 10 years working in various public affairs positions in California government including the administrations of two governors, two secretaries of state and the attorney general. Shad was most recently Vice President at the public relations firm MSL Worldwide in Los Angeles.

 

Based in Southern California, Shad oversees communications for all Chevrolet vehicles and brand initiatives. He oversees regional activities for the brand’s plug-in electric and alternative-fuel vehicles and works closely with federal, state and local officials to get markets ready for new vehicle technologies. Shad represents Chevrolet at various environmental and public policy forums and served for three years as co-chair of the Clean Air Dialogue. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Motor Press Guild, the nation’s largest automotive press association.

 

Prior to General Motors, Shad was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Department of Corporations as Director of Communications.

 

Before joining the Schwarzenegger Administration, Shad was the Press Secretary to former California Secretary of State Bill Jones.  And prior to his work in the Secretary of State’s office, Shad was a Cabinet Adviser to former California Governor Pete Wilson.

 

Outside of the office, Shad is an avid motor sports enthusiast, having competed regularly for more than ten years in professionally-sanctioned off-road desert races in Southern California, Nevada and Mexico.  Shad’s team has won several championship races and was supported by Nissan Motor Corporation and BFGoodrich Tires.