Leadership Bios

Leadership
Under Secretary Pierson’s leadership, LED became the only state agency in the U.S. recognized as an Accredited Economic Development Organization by the International Economic Development Council. In July 2018, the Southern Economic Development Council bestowed Honorary Life Member status upon Pierson – SEDC’s highest honor – for his career accomplishments. Since January 2016, LED has attracted economic development projects resulting in over 35,000 new jobs, 34,000 retained jobs and $41 billion in new capital investment for Louisiana. Secretary Pierson earned the 2018 Eugene J. Schreiber Award from the World Trade Center of New Orleans for lifetime achievement in international trade. In July 2019, federal Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appointed Pierson to the U.S Investment Advisory Council for his expertise in attracting and retaining foreign direct investment. In January 2020, Pierson begins a two-year term on the board of directors for the world’s largest economic development organization, IEDC.

Experience
Before coming to LED, Pierson served for 17 years in the Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, community as Executive Director of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation. He is a past president of LIDEA, the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, and also served as president of the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

In 2000, Gov. Mike Foster appointed Pierson to the Louisiana Economic Development Council; and a year later, to the Department of Economic Development Reorganization Task Force. In 2005, Gov. Kathleen Blanco appointed Pierson as LED Assistant Secretary. Aware of Pierson’s economic development expertise, Governor Blanco’s successor, Gov. Bobby Jindal, appointed Pierson as LED Assistant Secretary in 2008. Pierson became Governor Jindal’s appointee for The Aerospace Alliance for Aviation in 2009, and in January 2016 became the Secretary for LED.

Dedication
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.

EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining LED in March 2012, Villa was in the private sector for more than 20 years. She most recently served as vice president of Operations and Finance for MDI Entertainment LLC, a Scientific Games company. During her tenure at MDI, she managed daily operations, vendor relations, customer service, strategic planning and forecasting. Prior to MDI, she was in the logistics industry for 10 years as a finance manager for Exide Technologies as well as Ryder Systems Inc.

EDUCATION

B.B.A., Accounting, Georgia State University 
C.P.A., State of Georgia, Certificate No. 21450

EXPERIENCE

Prior to his appointment as deputy secretary in late December 2016, Lambert spent 24 years at Harris, DeVille & Associates, a Baton Rouge-based public and governmental affairs firm. He specialized in issues management and strategic communications planning and further responsibilities included media and crisis communications training, media and governmental relations, public opinion analysis and litigation public relations.

Lambert continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, having recently served as board chairman in 2014 and 2015. He also served as alumni board president for LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication in 2013 during the school's centennial.

EDUCATION

B.A., Journalism-News Editorial, Louisiana State University
M.P.A., Louisiana State University