PERSONAL:    
Charles, 36, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and moved to the Yakima Valley at the age of three. He grew up in Naches and makes his home there today with his wife of 14 years, CarriAnn, and their two sons, Vincent, 5, and Lucas, 3.

EDUCATION:
Graduated Naches Valley High School, 1991
Associate of Arts, Yakima Valley College
Associate of Arts, Funeral Director/Mortuary Science, Mount Hood Community College, (Gresham, Ore.)

MILITARY SERVICE:
United States Navy, 1991-95, including duty on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Persian Gulf War.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Charles is a licensed funeral director who has worked in the funeral home industry in Yakima for the past 11 years.

PUBLIC SERVICE:
Naches Town Council, 1997-2006
Elected Mayor of Naches, 1999-2003 and 2003-06 (resigned upon becoming state representative)

AWARDS:
2008  Legislator of the Year, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS)

LEADERSHIP ASSIGNMENTS:
Assistant Floor Leader, 2007 - present
Assistant Republican Whip, 2007

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Board of Directors, Yakima County Health District
Yakima County Mayors Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 379 (lifetime member)
Naches Lions Club
Naches Chamber of Commerce