Charles has remained on the leading edge of merging technology and data-driven digital approaches with traditional advocacy to influence public policy and shape innovative integrated public affairs strategies nationwide for over a decade.
Drawing on a deep background in technology, communications, public policy research, grassroots advocacy, digital content creation, and data analytics, Charles has helped over 100 organizations – from citizen coalitions to non-profits to Fortune 100 companies – navigate how to advocate and engage their stakeholders in an increasingly digital world.
His current practice focuses mainly on land use – specifically data center development, renewable development, and traditional energy infrastructure – as well as economic development, gaming and entertainment, and higher education advocacy initiatives.
Formerly operating his own digital firm, he also gained significant experience in Virginia politics and government through directing a non-profit advocacy organization, managing a re-election campaign and policy for Virginia politician Ben Cline, and aiding Gov. Bob McDonnell’s political action committee and successful Virginia gubernatorial campaign.
Charles earned his B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s 2012 Political Leaders Program.
He currently serves as a board member for the Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges, and has previously served on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Partners Board and as a gubernatorial and speaker appointee on Virginia’s Charitable Gaming Board.
From western Virginia, he now lives in Richmond with his wife, Amy, and their two children.
Charles has remained on the leading edge of merging technology and data-driven digital approaches with traditional advocacy to influence public policy and shape innovative integrated public affairs strategies nationwide for over a decade.
Drawing on a deep background in technology, communications, public policy research, grassroots advocacy, digital content creation, and data analytics, Charles has helped over 100 organizations – from citizen coalitions to non-profits to Fortune 100 companies – navigate how to advocate and engage their stakeholders in an increasingly digital world.
His current practice focuses mainly on land use – specifically data center development, renewable development, and traditional energy infrastructure – as well as economic development, gaming and entertainment, and higher education advocacy initiatives.
Formerly operating his own digital firm, he also gained significant experience in Virginia politics and government through directing a non-profit advocacy organization, managing a re-election campaign and policy for Virginia politician Ben Cline, and aiding Gov. Bob McDonnell’s political action committee and successful Virginia gubernatorial campaign.
Charles earned his B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s 2012 Political Leaders Program.
He currently serves as a board member for the Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges, and has previously served on the Virginia Public Access Project’s Partners Board and as a gubernatorial and speaker appointee on Virginia’s Charitable Gaming Board.
From western Virginia, he now lives in Richmond with his wife, Amy, and their two children.
Helped major companies in the data center industry overcome local issues facing rezoning and data center development across the county
Managed several successful referendum efforts across the country, most notably the most successful casino referendum in Virginia after the state legalized casino gaming in 2020
Helped manage a multistate effort that resulted in tens of thousands of comments into local, state, and federal elected official in support of a major energy infrastructure project
Assisted the Virginia Chamber – Virginia’s premiere pro-business organization – with the creation of their two major state policy plans and interactive companion websites for both, as well as their efforts to bolster paid internships, veterans hiring, small business healthcare, and a business-friendly economic climate in Virginia
Ran a majorly successful effort in opposition to proposed rule-making by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, helping facilitate what was then the most comments ever into the agency during a public comment period
Helped design, develop, and manage the business-led Grow By Degrees and Growth4VA initiatives of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council to highlight higher education’s crucial positive impact on economic growth and to promote sustained reform and reinvestment in Virginia’s higher education system
Helped design, develop, and manage the GO Virginia initiative aimed at spurring public-private partnerships between and within Virginia’s unique regions that has since transformed into a state-funded and state-managed program to invest in and incentivize collaboration between business, education, and government across Virginia
Assisted clients on how to best integrate digital solutions with traditional advocacy to shape public policy issues including technology, land use, infrastructure development, economic development, gaming and entertainment, healthcare, and higher education
Designed and developed McGuireWoods Consulting’s website
Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges
Board Member
2014-Present
Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) Partners Board
Board Member
2014-2017
Virginia Charitable Gaming Board
Board Member
2013-2017