Charles Fortner, a native of Ashville, Ohio, is an accomplished professional with a diverse background and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from The Ohio State University, followed by a master's in business administration from the University of Phoenix in 2006. After college, Charles relocated to Hawaii, where he resided for over two decades and established successful ventures in wireless technology, software development, and real estate investment. In recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements, the Small Business Administration honored him with the prestigious title of “National Young Entrepreneur of the Year" in 1998.
Since 2005, Charles has been serving as a wireless consultant and project manager, collaborating with cellular and broadband internet companies to facilitate the construction of wireless sites. To further support his wireless expertise, he obtained a Real Estate license in 2007, earned certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) in 2010 and certification as a Scrum Master in 2020.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Charles actively engages in various volunteer projects. He initiated an effort to establish a library in his hometown, served on the board of a start-up charter school, contributed as a member of the State of Hawaii committee responsible for privatizing public services, participated in the City and County of Honolulu Budgetary Task Force, and held leadership roles such as Past President of the Bishop Museum Association Council and the Rotary Club of Kahala Sunrise. He also served as an Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5000. Charles has demonstrated his commitment to personal development by completing multiple Dale Carnegie courses, including The Dale Carnegie Training Course, Leadership for Managers, and High Impact Presentations. Furthermore, he has generously shared his knowledge and experience by serving as a coach in subsequent Dale Carnegie classes.
In 2015, Charles and his partner made the decision to relocate their primary residence back to his home state of Ohio to care for his aging parents, while still maintaining strong connections to Hawaii. Outside of work, he enjoys an active lifestyle, engaging in fitness activities, beach outings, socializing with friends over dinner, biking, swimming, traveling, and exploring new business opportunities.