Colonel (Retired) Charles D. “Hawk” Mills is a transitioning US Army Officer having contributed over 35+ years of honorable service in support of US strategic initiatives and Department of Defense global operations. Throughout his career, Charles held diverse positions culminating in executive leadership roles with the nation’s most complex operational organizations. Moreover, his influence transformed enterprise-level doctrine, policy, and procedures while developing specialized workforce expertise and optimizing training programs that sharpened America’s national security instruments.

 

Charles is known for being the catalyst of enterprise-level change. His proven ability to develop strategic planning and convert corporate designs into operational successes is evident throughout his career. Hawk’s leadership synchronized multinational operations, enabled rapid mobilizations of multi-million-dollar resources, and assured global positioning of high-value technical systems and state-of-the-art platforms. A veteran of multiple deployments to international locations earned him distinguished service accolades to include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star.

 

After military retirement, Charles’s focus has been focused on a well-designed life that is generative—a life that is constantly creative, productive, changing, and evolving amongst the possibilities of surprise. So, to speak, Hawk has been actively searching for that “encore” career—work that combines personal meaning, continued income, and social impact. 

 

Hawk continues to deliver a positive influence in the community. He is a multidisciplinary leader, public speaker, community activist, and interventionist/mentor. Hawk is active in the local church and currently serves as a Deacon, as a member and lead vocalist of the praise team and serves (along with his wife) as the Co-Director of Christian Education and Leadership. Additionally, Charles is an active, lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and recently completed his tenure as the Charleson, SC Chapter’s President. His professional and personal achievements both in and out of uniform earned him recognition and placement in Claflin University’s Hall of Fame, Charles’s alma mater. The aforementioned, coupled with his interests in poetry and music, all serve as a natural progression in Hawk’s matriculation process of becoming a voice over/voice actor.

 

Education, knowledge, and life-long learning are also key components to how Charles operates. He’s currently earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration at Claflin University, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Troy University, a Master of Military Arts & Science at the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and a Master of Science (MS) in Strategic Studies at The U.S. Army War College. Additionally, Charles has also received education at Harvard’s Extension School in Design Thinking Methodologies.

 

Colonel (Retired) Mills is married to Dr. Andrea Hampton-Mills, an accomplished educator in her own right. They share 2 sons and 1 daughter, all college graduates and community contributors.