Dr. Charles Hamilton

Dr. Charles Hamilton brings together extensive skills in managing nonprofit advocacy groups, with deep knowledge of effective messaging using cutting-edge technologies in web and social media.

Experience

Executive Director

All Aboard Washington
2020 - Present

  • Directs a grassroots group that advocates for economic, environmental and equity benefits to communities by improving passenger rail service and seamless connections with local transit.
  • Develops policy positions and supports AAWA’s legislative activities.
  • Develops and implements strategies to increase public participation and support for AAWA, and to improve the organization’s diversity. Builds coalitions with local, regional and national transportation, economic development, environmental, equity and disability organizations.
  • Plans and manages events for the public, AAWA board, and elected officials.
  • Raises funds and prepares grant applications.
  • Recruits members and volunteers.
  • Supports activities toward developing regional organizations.
  • Plans, manages and conducts in-person and virtual events.
  • Represents AAWA with the press and on social media.
  • Manages AAWA’s website.
  • Manages and maintains online records.

Founder and Co-Owner

CHCS Internet Development
1985 - Present

  • Manages firm that has developed the Next9 association management system, a cloud-based association management solution giving organizations a complete suite of tools to manage memberships, donations, events, and web content.
  • Creates state-of-the-art custom websites for a diverse national client base of businesses and nonprofit organizations. A small sample includes All Aboard Washington, Empire State Passengers Association, Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates, Rail Passengers Association, Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association, August Imports, Whiting Design, Specialty Italian Villas, and many others.
  • Troubleshoots technical issues.
  • Manages finances. Develops customers, evaluates client needs and writes proposals.
  • Manages, hires and supervises staff.
  • Manages payroll, financies, email, and tax reporting.

Co-Founder and Vice-President

All Aboard Northwest
2022 - 2026

  • Co-founded a nonprofit public policy advocacy and action organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Northwest region.
  • Planned, organized and managed the Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Spokane, WA.

Administrator

Rail.chat, a Mastodon instance
2020 - present

  • Discussing passenger and freight rail, its connections to transit and other non-car options, and the economic, environmental and equity benefits of seamless mobility.

Member, Board and Council of Representatives

National Association of Railroad Passengers
2014 - 2017

  • Represented local needs, issues and activities at the national level; helped formulate national policies through participation in Associations committees; and implemented these policies by working at the grassroots level.
  • Recipient of the organization's John R. Martin Passenger Train Advocacy Award, 2015.

Writer

GigaOM, WebWorkerDaily, TheAppleBlog
2009 - 2012

  • Wrote articles for a daily blog and community that empowered web workers, connected with them, inspired them, and helped them to be more productive and successful.

President

Capitol Hill (Seattle) Chamber of Commerce
2001 - 2004

Board Member

Seattle Monorail Project
1998 - 2001

Instructor

Bellevue Community College
1992 - 1994

  • Taught communication courses, including Writing News and Features for Radio and Television and Career Opportunities in the Media.

Program Coordinator

Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
1993

  • Managed development of online catalog for those with disabilities. Installed and set up access to reference materials through PC equipped with speech, large-print and Braille output.

Manager

Jack Straw Productions
1990 - 1992

  • Managed training, production of programs for public radio, and operation of digital and analog studios.

Visiting Assistant Professor

George Washington University
1989 - 1990

  • Taught courses including Introduction to Audio Production. Managed university sound production studios and campus radio station WRTV.

Instructor

University of Maryland, College Park
1985 - 1990

  • Taught courses including Sound Production, Public Broadcasting, and Introduction to Radio, Television and Film. Assistant for the British Media in London program. Advised undergraduates with Radio-Television-Film majors.

Assistant General Manager

WBJC-FM
1988 - 1989

  • Managed administration for classical-music public radio station.

Interim General Manager

WWOZ-FM
1988

  • Managed community radio station while the station was between permanent managers.

Manager, Human Development Programs

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
1981 - 1985

  • Managed CPB-sponsored training opportunities, including grant programs for underserved populations.

Producer/Host

KFAI-FM
1978 - 1979

  • Produced and hosted programs, promoted the station, and participated in program selection

Education

University of Maryland

Ph. D., Public Communication
1994

University of Minnesota

M. A., Journalism
1979

The Johns Hopkins University

B. A., International Studies
1977

  • Activities and societies: Program Director - WJHU Radio

Contact

Charles Hamilton, Seattle