Local Government

Mayor Rideau graduated from Southern University on May 31, 1968, with a degree in Business Administration and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. On December 16, 1977, he received a Master's degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Communication and Instructional Technology from Southern University.

2Lt. Rideau was assigned to active duty on August 27, 1968, and went to Fort Gordon, Fort Sill, Fort Huachuca and Fort Lewis for training as a combat communication officer. 1Lt. Rideau served in the Republic of Vietnam from August 1969 to August 1970 with the 267th Signal Company throughout the III and IV areas of South Vietnam as a platoon leader and with the 2nd Signal Group as a wire officer. He earned the Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Capt. Rideau served with the Louisiana National Guard, 769th Engineering Battalion from 1975 to 1980 as company commander, battalion engineer, equipment maintenance and a battalion supply officer.

While attending Southern University, Mayor Rideau began a thirty-five-year career with Enjay Chemical, now known as ExxonMobil Chemical, as a plastic technician. During his career, he moved through many positions, spending the last twenty-one years as a vibration, acoustic, oil, stress and failure analysis senior specialist in the engineering group at the Baton Rouge Plastic Plant.

Harold Rideau was an assistant professor at Southern University College of Engineering from September 1989 to May 2000. He taught Vibration Analysis I and Vibration Analysis II lecture and labs. The students were taught the fundamental principles of setting up a predictive maintenance program and techniques for correcting vibration problems encountered in industrial environments. He also worked on a research project with Alexandria University in Egypt on the effects of vibration on energy usage.

Over the years, Harold has worked with youth in East Baton Rouge Parish through the following organizations: Cub Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, ExxonMobil Science Education Committee, Louisiana Hunter Education Instructor and the ExxonMobil Plant Tour Group. Through his efforts, the young people have improved their educational and leadership skills.

Harold Rideau has been recognized for his service to the North Baton Rouge Community. In 1991, he received the Performance Products President's Award for Community Service as a member of the Exxon Employee Science Education Team; in 1993, he received the Polymers President's Award for Community Service; and in 1997, the Baranco Clark Branch of the YMCA Black Achiever Award for 1997.

Baton Rouge Chapter of Vibration Institute, Cub Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, ExxonMobil Science Education Committee, ExxonMobil Plant Tour Group, American Society for Engineering Education, Southern University Engineering Department, Safety Awareness Team, Gulf South Compression Conference, ExxonMobil Rotating Equipment Monitoring Network, Parkwood Terrace Homeowners Association and City of Baker Fire and Police Civil Service Board.

Mayor Rideau is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Baker, the Baker Chamber of Commerce, ExxonMobil Golden Roots Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4224, American Legion Post 502 and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Harold has been married to Juanita Richard Rideau for forty years and they have four children, Alecia, Alphonse, Kyle and Jacob.