Don Pierson has served as LED's assistant secretary and chief
business development officer since January 2005. His
responsibilities include the oversight and implementation of key
economic development programs, including industrial recruitment,
existing business and industry support, and small business
development.
Experience
A certified economic development professional, Pierson has 20
years of economic development experience. For 17 of those years, he
served as executive director of the Greater Bossier Economic
Development Foundation in Louisiana's Northwest Region. He was
appointed by former Gov. Mike Foster in 2000 to the Louisiana
Economic Development Council and in 2001 to the Department of
Economic Development Reorganization Task Force. Four years later,
former Gov. Kathleen Blanco appointed Pierson to serve as assistant
secretary of LED, and in 2008, Gov. Bobby Jindal re-appointed
Pierson as assistant secretary.
Pierson has served on a number of industry boards, councils and
associations. Prior to his career in economic development, Pierson
served for five years as an airborne and ranger qualified infantry
officer in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Education
B.S., U.S. Military Academy at West Point
CEcD, International Economic Development Council
