August 13, 2024|News
Charles Thompson has joined the LSUS Foundation as director of annual giving.
A Bossier City native and Air Force veteran, Thompson has enhanced the relationship between LSU Shreveport and the community as coach of the LSUS bass fishing team. He plans to build on that experience in his new position with the foundation.
“I want to communicate all the things LSUS has to offer and create more connections with the community, alumni and local businesses to create opportunities for the young adults that are our future,” Thompson said.
As the director of annual giving, Thompson will work closely with LSUS athletics and the LSUS Alumni Association to raise funds for specific projects and programs.
“LSU Shreveport has benefited tremendously over the years by so many extremely supportive donors in the community. Because of this support, LSUS has seen tremendous growth in a short period of time, laying the groundwork to grow relationships with new graduates and younger donors. Charles is an excellent fit for this opportunity,” said LSUS Foundation President Laura Perdue.
Thompson was born at Barksdale Air Force Base and grew up in Bossier City. After graduating from Airline High School, he joined the Air Force. He trained as a radiology technologist and earned radiology practitioner assistant credentials from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. He worked in that field nine years before joining medical device company Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
While with Bracco as a territory manager, Thompson twice earned the company’s highest honor, the Renaissance Award.
An avid angler, he became involved with the LSUS bass fishing team in 2020. He has helped expand the team from five to 18 members through active recruiting.
Thompson has also helped the team build its brand by working with nationally known fishing brands like Huk as well as local companies like Wilhite Electric, Curtis Stout and Mechanical Concepts.
The Pilots bass team posted its best season ever in 2023-24, finishing sixth in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia. LSUS has risen steadily in the ranking for the past three years.
Thompson will continue coaching the team – but for him it’s about more than the tournament weigh-ins.
“We have a top tier educational program with affordable tuition, and we’re in one of the two biggest fishing areas of the country,” Thompson says. “The reason I do this is to get kids in school and get them graduated. Having a degree is monumental. Fishing is just the vehicle.”
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