Gov. Bobby Jindal replaced Board of Supervisors members Charles Weems and Hal Hinchliffe with R. Blake Chatelain and James Moore, respectively, Tuesday night.
Weems, appointed in 1991, had been the longest-serving Board member. Hinchliffe had served two years on the Board.
Chatelain and Moore both contributed at least $5,000 to Jindal’s gubernatorial campaign.
Weems said the way he was informed of his replacement was unorthodox.
“I got a call from Chatelain, who is replacing me, to tell me he was sorry I would no longer be serving,” Weems said. “At that point, I had not been told by the governor or his office.”
Jerry Shea, chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, said he was unaware of the details of how Weems was told he would be replaced.
“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Shea said. “But a Board member who has been on that long should have been given proper notification.”
Weems said he respects Jindal’s decision but would have liked to have spoken with him first.
“I recognize the governor can make whatever decision he chooses and doesn’t need a good reason,” Weems said. “I wish I could have talked to him about my concerns and concerns of other people, but I know they don’t owe me that.”
Shea said the departure of Weems is a “great loss.”
“He has an extensive knowledge of the System and the inter-workings of the University,” Shea said.
Weems said he is “disappointed” he will no longer be serving on the Board.
“I’ve put in a very long time,” Weems said. “It’s a big University with lots of moving parts, and it takes years to know how to manage everything. As the senior member, I would hope my service, experience and knowledge would have been valued, especially since there’s a new chancellor.”
In a radio interview with WJBO-AM on Wednesday, Jindal said Weems “served honorably on the Board.”
“He’s done a great job, and I know he’s very loyal to LSU,” Jindal said. “Just because we choose a new appointment … people shouldn’t necessarily assume the incumbent didn’t do a good job.”
Jindal said he wants to bring in new people with new ideas.
“There are many people that want to serve,” Jindal said. “It’s a good thing to give as many people a chance to serve. Bringing in people with a fresh perspective is a good thing.”
Hinchliffe could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
Shea and Weems agreed that both new members, particularly Chatelain, would be great new additions.
“Both are well qualified,” Weems said. “I know Chatelain personally. He’s a good guy; he’ll do a good job.”
Shea said he does not know either of the new members personally but likes what he has read about them.
Shea admitted the Board might suffer a few drawbacks in the beginning.
“There’s always a learning curve for new Board members,” Shea said. “But it sounds like they’re anxious to get in there and get started.”
Moore served on Jindal’s Ethics Transition Advisory Council, and Chatelain served on Jindal’s Health Care Transition Advisory Council, according to The Advocate.
Chatelain is the president and CEO of Red River Bank and also the vice chairman of the Cenla Advantage Partnership. Moore is the former owner and president of Moore Oil Co., and an owner and developer of Hilton and Marriott hotels.
—-Contact Katie Kennedy at [email protected]