Since 2001, Ken Cole worked in Washington, DC, where he was global public policy and government relations for General Motors. He helped the automaker win a bailout from the Obama administration last year and was subsequently involved in talks with the White House on still more federal aid. Athough Ed Whitacre signaled his intent to reorganize (see this), Cole was recognized in some circles for helping to successfully portray GM as a sympathetic entity deserving federal assistance.

What can he do for Pfizer? A bailout is unlikely, but there are always a gazillion issues of importance, from prying open market access to other nations to winning greater coverage in government plans for the sorts of drug that it sells. And it would appear he has some idea of how to pitch and package a company that is running out of gas when it comes to innovation.