Chief Jon Pierpont portrait

Jon Pierpont

Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer for the State of Utah

Jon S. Pierpont is the Chief of Staff to Governor Spencer J. Cox. He has skillfully guided all operations statewide during the first three years of the Cox-Henderson administration, including a seamless gubernatorial transition and a series of strategic department mergers. Pierpont’s contributions have shaped the formation and execution of the governor’s priorities, achieving countless legislative milestones and unprecedented funding for state employees.

Before joining the Governor’s Office, Pierpont was an integral part of Gov. Gary R. Herbert’s cabinet for eight years. As the executive director of Utah’s Department of Workforce Services, he capably managed a $1.8 billion annual budget, with the department responsible for executing sizable federal and state programs. These included workforce development, public assistance programs eligibility, housing and community development, unemployment insurance, and support for individuals with disabilities.

As the executive director of Workforce Services, Pierpont tackled critical state issues such as intergenerational poverty, homelessness, Operation Rio Grande, refugee services, and workforce preparation. Having devoted the majority of his 32 years in public service to Workforce Services, he has demonstrated leadership in various roles. Furthermore, he led the department’s largest economic service area, maintaining a keen focus on improving service delivery for Utah residents, fostering efficiencies, and driving cost savings for taxpayers. Pierpont’s dedication led to an impressive saving of over $35 million for the department, reflecting a commitment to optimizing state government service delivery.

As a proud alumnus of the University of Utah and son of the former Provo Police Captain George Pierpont, he is admired for his strategic and purpose-driven approach to public service. Pierpont has kept the spirit of public service alive in his family—his son, George, honors his grandfather’s legacy by serving with distinction as a member of the Utah Highway Patrol. Pierpont lives in Sandy, Utah with his wife Irina.