40 Under 40: Hank Charles – Fresno State Alumni Association
Hank Charles, wanting to be at a school with football pride, relocated from the Bay Area to Fresno to enroll at California State University, Fresno. He was a mass communications and journalism major, with a public relations option and a minor in business. After graduating in 2009 and living back in the Bay Area for several months, Fresno State MCJ professor Jan Edwards led him to a 10-month full-time unpaid internship with Learfield Sports, which represents 53 learning institutions across the country.
Hank Charles
During his two successful years with Learfield, Charles had the opportunity to work for his alma mater, selling corporate sponsorships for Fresno State Athletics. He later joined the Fresno State Alumni Association in August of 2012, where he is assistant director of business development.
During his short time with the Alumni Association, Charles has launched the Bulldog Shopping Network. The concept involves downloading a browser button a single time on a computer, and when a user shops online a small percentage spent is given to the Alumni Association. The program was launched around Thanksgiving of 2012 with the goal of 600 participants in the first year, and in the first month there were already 175.
Charles plays golf and softball, and is a big fan of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, as well as the Fresno State Bulldogs sports teams.
Favorite Movie: “Rush Hour”
Favorite Music Artist/Band: Nelly
Last Book Read: “Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success Playbook: Applying the Pyramid of Success to Your Life” by John Wooden and Jay Carty
“40 Under 40″ The Ultimate Networking Event, honoring the Class of 2012, will be held Thursday, March 21 at the Skyroom Lounge in Holiday Inn Fresno Downtown. Tickets to the event are now on sale, and are available for purchase on www.40u40.com.
Each day leading up to the event, a different member of the Class of 2012 will be featured in a story on www.BusinessStreetOnline.com. Be sure to sign up for our daily news alerts by visiting www.BusinessStreetOnline.com.
