Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats announced on July 19 that Shelby Pierson will serve as the first Election Threats Executive (ETE) to oversee U.S. election security efforts.
“In order to build on our successful approach to the 2018 elections, the [intelligence community] 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,” Director Coats said in a statement. The ETE will be the principal adviser to election threats, and will coordinate and integrate all activities, initiatives, and programs across the intelligence community.
Prior to serving as the first ETE, Pierson served as the “crisis manager” for the 2018 election security efforts within the DNI’s office, and had prior roles in the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
In addition to the ETE, Director Coats announced the establishment of a Leadership Board that will be chaired by the ETE. Senior executives from the intelligence community and other relevant Federal agencies will be members of the board.
“Election security is an enduring challenge and a top priority for the [intelligence community],” Director Coats said.
