Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards has named Bossier City’s Don Pierson as economic development secretary in his newly formed cabinet.
Pierson has over 25 years of economic development experience. As a certified economic developer, he currently serves as the senior business development director at LED. He previously served as assistant secretary.
Gov.-elect Edwards said, “Louisiana faces significant challenges, but I have never been more optimistic about the future of our state. We’re assembling the best team possible that is well-positioned to tackle these challenges from day one. I am honored to serve alongside each of these individuals and look forward to working with them as we begin a new day in the State of Louisiana.”
Before coming to LED, Pierson served for 17 years in the Shreveport/Bossier community as Executive Director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation and VP of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. In 2000, he was appointed by former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster to the Louisiana Economic Development Council. In 2001, former Governor Mike Foster again appointed him, this time to the Department of Economic Development Reorganization Task
Force.
In 2005 Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed Don Pierson to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. In 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal appointed Don Pierson to continue his service as Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
In 2009, Pierson became Governor Jindal’s appointee for The Aerospace Alliance. In 2012, Pierson was named Senior Director of Business Development for Louisiana Economic Development.
Pierson is a past president of the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Economic Development Council, an organization with representatives from all southern states. Pierson is a past president of the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, serving as president in 1996.
Like Edwards, Pierson is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as an Airborne and Ranger qualified Infantry Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division for five years.
