“Helping Companies Navigate Internal Redesign and Leadership Challenges.”
Charles M. Surber III stands at the confluence of military precision and corporate innovation. With nearly two decades of combat-tested leadership in U.S. Army Special Forces and 16 years of executive roles in healthcare IT operations, Charles has carved out a unique path defined by resilience, transformation, and service. His journey from commanding elite military units in global conflict zones to overseeing multimillion-dollar operational strategies in the corporate sector illustrates a rare and deeply integrated mastery of people, process, and purpose.
Charles began his professional ascent at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with a B.S. in Military History and Systems Engineering. It was there that he built the intellectual foundation and ethical compass that would steer him through a career marked by high-stakes leadership and mission-critical decision-making. From the outset, Charles showed a commitment to understanding and improving complex systems—a mindset that would serve him equally well on the battlefield and in the boardroom.
Following his commissioning, Charles served in several high-impact military roles, including combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Rising through the ranks to Major, he eventually commanded a Special Forces Company within the Massachusetts National Guard, where he led more than 250 operators across six countries. His tenure was marked by successful execution of strategic operations during Operation Juniper Shield in Niger and Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Lebanon. His ability to guide multinational teams in volatile environments reflects an unmatched level of operational dexterity and cultural acumen.
Simultaneously, Charles built a civilian career that mirrors his military success in both scope and scale. He spent over a decade at NTT Data Services (and its predecessors Dell Services and Perot Systems), progressing from Business Analyst to Client Delivery Executive. In his current role, he oversees delivery of a $35 million annual contract involving 550 personnel and 14 departments, servicing clients in the healthcare payer industry. His civilian leadership is rooted in the same core tenets he honed in uniform: accountability, adaptability, and an unrelenting focus on outcomes.
In each corporate capacity, Charles has led organizations through critical transformation initiatives—restructuring underperforming departments, optimizing operational frameworks, and implementing automation strategies that cut costs while enhancing service delivery. His reputation as a calm, logic-driven leader during periods of ambiguity and uncertainty has made him an indispensable advisor to executive teams navigating organizational redesign. Whether streamlining reporting infrastructures or realigning leadership pipelines, Charles brings a clarity of vision that is both strategic and human-centered.
A recurring theme throughout Charles’s career has been the mentorship and development of others. As a Special Forces officer, he advised foreign military leaders across Iraq, Lebanon, and North Africa on internal defense and leadership development. In the corporate world, he has been a vocal advocate for leadership training and talent advancement. His ability to cultivate growth in others—often under pressure—has made him a catalyst for team cohesion and long-term sustainability.
While Charles is intensely mission-focused, his personal values are equally grounded. He maintains a lifelong passion for physical fitness, mechanical craftsmanship, and the outdoors, often drawing parallels between these pursuits and the principles of discipline, curiosity, and focus. These interests are not mere hobbies but reflections of his broader philosophy: that excellence is cultivated through consistent effort, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the process.
Charles is now actively seeking board and advisory roles in sectors where he can deploy his accumulated expertise for meaningful impact. His ideal engagements lie at the intersection of governance, innovation, and mission alignment—particularly within healthcare, defense, defense manufacturing, and procurement. He is also open to international opportunities, leveraging his deep familiarity with cross-border collaboration and advisory experience in high-stakes, multicultural environments.
With no limitations on organizational size, Charles is open to serving entities ranging from agile startups to mature enterprises. His value proposition lies not in fitting into an existing mold but in reshaping and strengthening the framework around which success is built. Backed by top-tier evaluations from senior U.S. Army leadership and a proven track record in both military and commercial domains, Charles brings an uncommon blend of operational discipline and strategic foresight to every role he assumes.
Above all, Charles is a leader of consequence—someone who not only excels in high-pressure environments but elevates the performance of everyone around him. His mission is clear: to support sound governance, foster innovation, and help advance meaningful, mission-aligned outcomes across industries and borders.
Character:
Charles exemplifies integrity and dependability in every leadership role he undertakes. His military career demanded an unshakable moral compass, and he has carried that commitment to ethical leadership into his corporate work. He leads with empathy, sets high standards, and ensures that trust is the cornerstone of all his relationships.
Knowledge:
With dual-domain expertise in Special Forces operations and healthcare technology, Charles is a rare generalist with deep specialization. His understanding of complex systems and his ability to navigate them make him invaluable in industries undergoing transformation. He remains a lifelong learner, constantly sharpening his skill set to meet evolving challenges.
Strategic:
Charles brings clarity and foresight to organizations in transition. Whether advising foreign governments or optimizing domestic business units, he applies a long-range vision grounded in practical execution. His leadership style is proactive, analytical, and always aligned with strategic objectives.
Communication:
An accomplished strategic communicator, Charles excels at engaging across cultural and organizational boundaries. He presents with confidence, negotiates with respect, and motivates with purpose. His ability to translate complex ideas into actionable plans makes him a powerful agent for change.
