The CEO for visitor services at the Capitol Visitor Center has been fired after a three-year tenure marred by standoffish relations with Members.

House aides familiar with the decision said the news of Terrie Rouse’s departure was announced to little surprise at a staff meeting Tuesday afternoon.

“She was given an ultimatum to either step down or be fired,” said one aide, who added that Rouse has retained a lawyer and may try to challenge the dismissal.

Rouse has often been at odds with Members tasked with oversight of the multimillion-dollar complex. At oversight hearings during the center’s construction, Rouse would dismiss Members’ comments and come back empty-handed when asked to make changes to the CVC, several sources said.

“She wasn’t very responsive to Members,” an aide said. “Her relationship with Members, it was at times acrimonious.”

Neither Rouse nor CVC officials returned phone calls requesting comment.

Eva Malecki, spokeswoman for Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers, said only that Rouse “will be leaving the position.”

“We wish Terrie well as she moves on to other endeavors,” Malecki said in an e-mailed statement.

Ayers has appointed Dan Cassil, formerly deputy CEO for visitor services, to replace Rouse.