The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has hired Jonathan Dean, CLED, PCED, as its Vice President of Economic Development. 

Dean joined the Alliance Team in April 2022 and has been steadily meeting with regional elected officials and business leaders in preparation for his role at the Alliance and as a lead in Economic Development efforts in the five-parish Southwest Louisiana region. 

“With the retirement of R.B. Smith, we were looking for a dedicated and experienced professional to step into this position and working with our tightly knit Economic Development Team. Highly regarded throughout the state, Dean has been a great fit for the Alliance and is enthusiastic about the work ahead,” said George Swift, SWLA Economic Development Alliance President and CEO. 

Prior to joining the Alliance, Jonathan Dean worked for Pineville based utility company Cleco working in economic development and industrial accounts from 2015-2021. There he focused on site certification and infrastructure issues. Before working at Cleco, he was the Mayor of Ball, Louisiana, from 2011 to 2015. 

He is a graduate of Northwestern State University with a degree in Business Administration. Professionally, he graduated from the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas and is a Certified Louisiana Economic Developer and Professional Certified Economic Developer. 

He is married to Amanda Dean and has one son as well as a granddaughter.