Pierson appointed as newly established IC Election Threats Executive

Shelby Pierson has been appointed to serve as the newly established Intelligence Community (IC) Election Threats Executive (ETE).

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Daniel R. Coats said the ETE is responsible for serving as the DNI’s principal adviser on threats to elections and matters related to election security. The position also coordinates and integrates all election security activities, initiatives, and programs across the IC.

“Election security is an enduring challenge and a top priority for the IC,” Coats said. “In order to build on our successful approach to the 2018 elections, the IC must properly align its resources to bring the strongest level of support to this critical issue. There is no one more qualified to serve as the very first Election Threats Executive than Shelby Pierson, whose knowledge and experience make her the right person to lead this critical mission.”

Pierson served as the DNI’s Crisis Manager for Election Security during the 2018 midterm elections and possesses 20 years of IC experience. She directed all IC agencies and departments with a role in election security to immediately identify a single, senior-executive lead for election security.

Coats said the agency has also created an Election Executive and Leadership Board, of which the ETE will serve as chair. The panel is made of senior-executive leads from across the IC and all relevant government organizations. The board will serve as the principal vehicle for IC-wide coordination and focus on election threats.