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Undersecretary Fran Gladden
Office of Management and Finance

deputy
In February 2008, Fran Gladden was appointed to serve as Louisiana Economic Development (LED) undersecretary, overseeing the financial aspects of the department’s program of work.

Gladden served as LED’s legislative/congressional liaison from 2004-05 and deputy secretary from 2005-08. For more than 28 years, Gladden played an active role in economic development and governmental relations in the public and private sectors. She was also directly involved in the start-up and growth of a family-owned manufacturing business.

Gladden represented Louisiana’s rural electric cooperatives for 12 years in many aspects of operation, including economic development and marketing, as well as directing state and federal governmental and legislative efforts. She worked for the Louisiana Department of Commerce from 1983-89 in the national marketing and business incentives divisions. Prior to that, she spent five years working in economic development planning throughout Louisiana.

Gladden served as chairman of the annual Governor's Conference on Economic Development from 2005-07. She is active in the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, formerly serving as an officer and a board member. She is also an active participant in the International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, CoreNet and other professional organizations.

Gladden represents LED on several boards and commissions, including Louisiana Business and Technology Center, Advisory Commission for Intergovernmental Relations, Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, Louisiana Gene Therapy Research Consortium Board, Board of Regents Support Fund Planning Committee and Healthworks Commission. She is involved with the Louisiana Recovery Authority by overseeing the $220 million Business Recovery Grant and Loan Program.

A native of Lake Charles, La., Gladden holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from McNeese State University. She is involved in numerous community, church and school volunteer organizations and serves on several boards. She is married with three children.