Charles is a 30-year educator and community change agent, retired U.S. Air Force construction/training manager (water systems and environmental support), and co-founder of the Uplift Institute. He advances sustainability through education, workforce development, and equitable, regenerative infrastructure. He holds a BS in Workforce Education (SIU–Carbondale), an MA in Urban Sustainability (Antioch LA), and an EdD in Educational Sustainability (UW–Stevens Point), and lives in California.