Chuck is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (BS 1992 in mathematics with highest distinction), was designated as an Edmund J. James Scholar (1989-1990), which recognizes extraordinary academic achievements while participating in special curricular activities and was a member of its Dean’s List. He received his JD Summa Cum Laude, Order of the Coif from the University of Illinois, College of Law (1998), was a member of its Law Review and was recognized as a Harno Fellow. Chuck attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the Cannon Financial Institute at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning at the University of Miami, School of Law in Orlando, Florida.

He served as a summer associate with Sutkowski Law Office Ltd. (1997), clerked for Justices Robert J. Steigmann and Frederick S. Green (1998-2000), was a partner and associate attorney (2001-2007) in the Champaign, Illinois law firm, Thomas, Mamer, Haughey, LLP., and was an Executive Vice President (2007-2014) and the Chief Trust and Wealth Management Officer for First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A. (approximately $1 billion in assets under management), and First Mid Insurance Group. He supervised its trust department which provides trust administration, estate planning, estate administration, farm management, investment management, and brokerage services. Chuck served as general in-house counsel to the First Mid-Illinois CEO, its executive team and various management committees.