Charlie grew up on a ranch (dry-land farming - hay & beans) in San Diego County - and fondly remembers what it was like, back when it was still open country. He attended Carlsbad High School (where he was Valedictorian). UC San Diego awarded him a BA in Chemistry, and he earned an MS in Chemistry from UC Riverside.

Charlie's wife, Joan, was born in Willits (where she earned straight As for all four years at her high school). They met at UC Riverside, where she earned a BS in Biochemistry.

Charlie has owned various agricultural lands, including alfalfa in Utah, avocados in Riverside County, and was part-owner of several vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Joan managed a water-treatment plant for the City of San Bernardino, before she and Charlie moved to Mendocino County. She is now a part-time chemist at a major winery. They are both avid gardeners, continually working on landscaping several acres of their ridge-top property overlooking Lake Mendocino.

Charlie's Rotary classification is "Investments"; he's been licensed

Charlie at the 2005 District Conference Photo by Michael W. Cloney

for about 35 years in securities and insurance - and is now a Registered Principal with Linsco/Private Ledger, running a private practice out of his home office.

Charlie was invited to join the South Ukiah Rotary Club in 1987, and became its President in '96-'97. He has also served as Treasurer for two years and Club Foundation Chair for three years; he is now an active member of the International Service Committee.

He was his Club's Rotarian of the Year in '94-'95*, and PDG Harry Johnson named him the District's Rotarian of the Year in '00-'01. His Club honored him with the Four Avenues of Service Award, and he received the Rotary Foundation District Service Award from PDG Terri Clark.

Charlie went, with a group of about 85 Rotarians, to Ghana, in October of 2000 to take part in a National Immunization Day. He served on the District World Community Service Committee for several years, and chaired it for PDG Mike Merrill. Charlie has been actively involved with his Club in promoting World Community Service projects (the club has completed 9 projects in Africa, Mexico, and Vietnam).

Charlie produced the District Newsletter ("The Wheel News"; 8 pages; 11X17 tabloid - mailed to

Charlie at the 2005 District Assembly Photo by Todd Carey

over 2,400 Rotarians) for PDG Harry Johnson in '00-'01. He also created his Club's bulletin for over 6 years, in full color (graphics and photos) for the last three.

Joan & Charlie have hosted 9 Rotary Youth Exchange students, and have co-chaperoned a big end-of-year trip called the "Western Safari Tour" three times, and intend to continue as often as possible. They both actively participate in the Ukiah High Interact Club's activities.

Looking forward to the ensuing years of Rotary service, both Joan & Charlie will be working together to promote all four Avenues of Service, with a special love for - and emphasis on - Youth and the International aspects of Rotary.

* Charlie is quick to point out that Joan should have gotten the top award, because she attended every event and service project of the club that year - and he missed one!