Council decides TEDA CEO hire tonight

The Terrebonne Parish Council will cast a final vote tonight that could ratify appointment of Steve Vassallo to become the second-ever CEO for the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.

Vassallo rose to the top of the list of candidates following a six-month search that required a TEDA selection committee to retool its procedures in securing a qualified candidate that could withstand media criticism of being less than perfect.

Vassallo was offered the position by the TEDA Board of Commissioners on June 29 with a base salary of $100,000. If ratified, he is expected to begin work on Aug. 8.

Vassallo has been an independent economic development consultant since 2007, with client governments and businesses both domestic and international in nature. By taking on the TEDA position he said he would dedicate his services to Terrebonne Parish as a full time position. He will also retain membership with the Scandinavian American Economic Development Alliance.

“I would like to … highly recommend Steve Vassallo to your parish,” Central (La.) Mayor S. “Mac” Watts wrote in a letter to TEDA Chairman Don Hingle. “Steve’s background, knowledge and enthusiasm were just what Central needed.”

“I’ve known Steve for several years … and know him to be a man of character experience and integrity,” Republic of Iceland Honorary Counsel Greg Beuerman said of Vassallo in a reference letter. “His ability to put this successful trip together in very short order and to gain valuable insights that may well result in tangible business alliances and opportunities is a great credit to him and his organizational abilities and skills.”

Top elected parish officials will now decide if Vassallo’s experience and background is the right match for their economic development aspirations.

For results and details of the parish council vote check www.tri-parishtimes.com.