Don Pierson, CEcD

                                             Secretary of Economic Development

In January 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Don Pierson to serve as Secretary for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). Pierson served as Assistant Secretary and Senior Director of Business Development for LED since January 2005. With executive-level leadership, his duties include the implementation of domestic and international economic development programs and job retention and creation efforts for the State of Louisiana. He is Governor John Bel Edwards’ primary representative to governmental officials, local communities, and site selector consultants on all economic issues. Pierson has over 27 years of economic development experience, and is a certified economic development professional.

Before coming to LED, Pierson served for 17 years in the Shreveport/Bossier community as Executive Director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation. In 2000, Governor Mike Foster appointed Pierson to the Louisiana Economic Development Council. A year later, Governor Foster again appointed him, this time to the Department of Economic Development Reorganization Task Force.

In 2005, Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed Pierson to serve as Assistant Secretary for LED. Louisiana’s subsequent Governor Bobby Jindal was aware of Pierson’s economic development prowess and leadership, so he appointed Pierson as Assistant Secretary for LED in 2008. Pierson then became Governor Jindal’s appointee for The Aerospace Alliance for Aviation in 2009, and in January 2016 became the Secretary for LED. Pierson is a past-president of the LA Industrial Development Executives Association. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Economic Development Council, an organization with representatives from all southern states. Pierson is also a past-president of the LA Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Pierson served as an Airborne and Ranger Qualified Infantry Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division for five years. He has also served as a deacon at Kings Highway Christian Church in Shreveport. He is married to Kay Spearman Pierson and has two adult children, Jerry and Rachel.