Charles Theus

Charles Theus is the Executive Director of the Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) in Monroe, Louisiana. His career with SEDD has been marked by some controversy and notable events:

Career at SEDD

Rehiring and Previous Termination: Charles Theus was recently rehired as the Executive Director of SEDD after being fired in September 2021 for alleged "poor performance" in his position.1 The decision to bring him back was made by the SEDD board members, with three voting in favor of his return, while one member voted against and another abstained.1

Controversial Tenure: During his time as Executive Director, Theus' performance has been questioned by some board members. There were allegations that no significant projects had been completed under his leadership, leading to debates about his effectiveness in the role.1

SEDD's Challenges

Financial Issues: SEDD has faced financial difficulties, including being locked out of its regular meeting place due to non-payment of utilities. The organization's spending practices have come under scrutiny, with an audit report suggesting that revenue from a 2017 hotel tax was not properly spent.1

Lack of Visible Progress: There have been concerns raised about the lack of visible economic development in the southside of Monroe, which was the primary reason for SEDD's creation. This has led to debates among board members about the organization's effectiveness.1

Background

Charles Theus is based in Monroe, Louisiana, and attended Louisiana Tech University.2 His role as Executive Director at SEDD involves overseeing the organization's efforts to promote economic development in the southside of Monroe.

Despite the controversies surrounding his tenure, Theus continues to lead SEDD in its mission to improve economic conditions in the targeted districts of Monroe.