Home » New leader named for Kentucky’s Economic Development Office in Europe

New leader named for Kentucky’s Economic Development Office in Europe

Morgan Pierstorff
Morgan Pierstorff

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2017) – Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Terry Gill today announced Morgan Pierstorff – a four-year project manager and the Cabinet’s European Representative Office senior manager the past 13 months – will lead the Hamburg, Germany-based office as executive director.

Kentucky’s European Representative Office is responsible for the commonwealth’s economic development and marketing activities in Europe. Kentucky is home to more than 200 European-owned facilities, which represent 15 countries and employ 33,000 Kentuckians.

“Foreign direct investment is a key part of our economic development strategy,” Sec. Gill said. “Morgan’s passion for serving her home state’s business community and her experience in growing international clients across industry sectors will help us continue to expand the presence of European firms as well as market the commonwealth as a hub of engineering, manufacturing and logistics in America.”

Pierstorff joined the Cabinet in 2013. She has been heavily engaged in the state’s efforts to promote economic growth through trade and foreign direct investment as a project manager. Most recently, Pierstorff has served as a senior manager in Kentucky’s Europe office overseeing business development efforts alongside her predecessor Finn Weisse, who will stay involved in the office’s activities as a non-executive director.

Prior to joining the cabinet, Pierstorff worked in global intergovernmental affairs in Washington D.C. at the U.S. Department of State. A native Kentuckian, she studied Political Science at Kentucky Wesleyan College and graduated with a master’s in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College as a public policy and international affairs fellow.

“It is an honor to represent Kentucky in Europe,” Pierstorff said. “Kentucky’s record level of investment is an exciting story to tell in Europe as investors continue to favor the stability and consumer demand of the US market. I am anxious to continue the work of promoting my home state as an ideal destination for European investors looking to benefit from our tremendous assets whether it be our pro-business climate or logistical resources. “

Outgoing Director Finn Weisse welcomed the appointment.

“After building Kentucky’s European Office the past six years and working alongside Morgan in Europe, I know she is the perfect fit to lead our business development efforts here,” Weisse said. “Morgan understands the transatlantic business world as well as the US market and is passionate about Kentucky. “

Weisse led the office for more than six years and is transitioning to manage a family owned investment company. Because of his strong ties to Kentucky, his business interests in various industries and the transatlantic partnerships he has helped form, Weisse will stay engaged in the office’s efforts to promote Kentucky as a location for European companies.

For more information about Kentucky’s European Representative Office, visit www.thinkkentucky.eu.