For decades, Mr. Charles has led NRCDC in the development and redevelopment of affordable housing and commercial real estate projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He also holds a Master of Business Administration on General Management. Mr. Charles is a registered, licensed engineer in the State of Califormia, where he worked as an engineer and a real estate consultant for a number of years. He has also held positions with large scale master-plan developers, as well as other community based organizations. His affiliations and memberships include: the Community Advisory Board of Comerica Bank and Blue Print Houston, CDC Association of Greater Houston, National Congress for Community Economic Development, Third Ward Redevelpment Council, and the Urban Land Institute. He is also a graduate of the “Advanced Practitioner Program” through the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard Universiy. He has received numerous civic awards, and among them are the Outstanding Young Men of America, the Leadership Award from the American Legion, and he is listed in Who’s Wo Among Executives and Professionals.