Bill Pierce

William Pierce, senior vice president in APCO Worldwide’s Washington, D.C., office, joined the firm in 2005. Mr. Pierce specializes in advising health care clients. His work includes policy development, issue advocacy, message development, crisis communication and media relations.

Prior to joining APCO in 2005, Mr. Pierce served as the deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At HHS, Mr. Pierce was senior spokesman for the department and the secretary and provided public affairs counsel to HHS and its agencies including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Office of Global Health Affairs. He also worked with HHS secretary Tommy Thompson on the HHS’ diet and exercise campaign.

Prior to joining HHS, Mr. Pierce served as the director of public affairs for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and before that worked first as a press secretary for Congresswoman Olympia Snowe (R-ME) then Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA). Before working on the Hill, Mr. Pierce was director of communication for the National Taxpayers Union, an account executive for Hill & Knowlton and a research associate with Government Research Corporation. He began his career in Washington as a research analyst for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Mr. Pierce holds his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and English and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds the designation of Professional from the Academy for Healthcare Management. In 2000, he became a founding member of the George Mason University Mercatus Center’s Advisory Council for Capitol Hill Programs – a center providing educational programming on a wide variety of issues to Capitol Hill staff and members of Congress.