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.”