By Trish Svoboda

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland has introduced Joshua Jefferson as the new Deputy Secretary for Business Development, effective today, January 8.

Jefferson, with 15 years of experience in economic development, commercial real estate, and airport management, previously served as the Economic Development Program Manager for the city of Tempe, Arizona. In his past roles, he played a vital part in attracting significant private capital investment, creating 17,000 new jobs, and transforming the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority into an economic development powerhouse with an annual impact exceeding $1.8 billion.

Jefferson’s accomplishments include attracting major industry names like Gulfstream Aerospace, Virgin Galactic, and Boeing, as well as expanding DSV Sea & Air’s air charter network and announcing a large cargo and logistics center.

Jefferson fills the vacancy left by former Deputy Secretary Paul Hughes, who resigned in June 2023.