The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo has undergone a significant leadership change as Director Tom Pearson was terminated from his position on August 17th, 2023. The decision came after a series of complaints from employees about Pearson’s management style and behavior.
Pearson, a former television weatherman who signed on as Zoo Director in 2020, faced employee-based allegations of poor management skills and mistreatment of employees.
Multiple sources within the zoo spoke to the Free Press over the last month about their experiences working under Pearson’s leadership. They reported that Pearson frequently belittled employees, criticizing their job performance, appearance, weight, and punctuality in front of others. These outbursts were often loud and humiliating, creating a toxic work environment, they said.
Despite numerous complaints filed over a span of three years, the employees asserted that their concerns were largely ignored.
Some employees claimed that Pearson’s lack of people skills had a detrimental impact on staff morale and the overall work atmosphere.
Anonymous sources from within the zoo began speaking out to media outlets in early August, shedding light on their frustrations and concerns regarding Pearson’s management style. However, Pearson’s connections and reputation seemed to shield him from accountability, preventing any significant action from being taken.
City records indicate that Pearson was officially terminated on August 21, 2023, but his last day of work was on August 17. City officials declined to comment on the specifics of Pearson’s termination, citing it as a confidential personnel matter.
Pearson took over the role of Zoo Director in 2020 after the resignation of Joe Clawson.
Clawson stepped down shortly after the election of Friday Ellis as mayor. The termination of Pearson marks a turning point for the zoo as it seeks to address concerns raised by employees and potentially restore a more positive and effective leadership environment.
