Charlie Farrell is a native of Columbia, SC, attended public schools and graduated from A. C. Flora High School. He is a banking and finance graduate of the University of South Carolina where he played basketball for Coach Frank McGuire. He flew over 3,000 hours as a fighter pilot (F-4, A-4, A-7, F-16) with the Marine Corps and Air National Guard. He owned two commercial printing companies before he started professional development training, specializing in programs to develop skills in leadership, teamwork, and personal productivity. His repeat clients include: General Electric, 3M, Mayo Clinic, Federal Reserve Bank, Ocean Spray Cranberry, and Michelin. Charlie is a trained mediator and attended the Harvard Law School Negotiations Workshop taught by Roger Fisher, author of Getting to Yes. He travels extensively, having visited all 50 states and 30 foreign countries.
Charlie has authored numerous articles and three books. Courage To Lead, in its eighth printing, is used by many organizations in their leadership training. Keep Your Wallet Open and Your Mouth Shut is a humorous look at how fathers can survive the wedding of a daughter. Paschon and the Art of Dying is a mystery novel based on a true event.
Charlie served three years as Director of Executive Education in the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He was appointed Director of the South Carolina Aerospace Task Force and subsequently was appointed Executive Coordinator for the South Carolina Military Base Task Force. He was inducted into the Columbia, SC Richland County School District One Hall of Fame. In 2020 Charlie was honored for his distinguished service by Governor Henry McMaster who awarded him the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. Charlie resides in Columbia with his wife Susan, having just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have two children and two grandchildren.