Gerald Charles, Jr.

Gerald Charles, Jr. joined Brighton Park Capital as a Senior Advisor in August of 2020. Gerald is a C-Level technology visionary, business growth driver, transformation architect, trusted global collaborator, and sought-after thought leader. Throughout his tenured career as a technology Executive that “monetizes technology,” he has envisioned and driven large-scale operating efficiencies and optimized customer experiences that have amplified top and bottom-line growth. Gerald is the rare blend of business strategy, IT, and analytics that drives high-impact, sustainable change in organizations and people. A strong developer of high-performing teams, his leadership reach spans multiple industries and a broad base of technology initiatives, including omni-channel customer experiences, retail and corporate campuses of the future, productivity-driving collaboration solutions, cyber security, and global network infrastructures.

In his current role at Capital One, Gerald continues to build upon his proven track record of driving profitable growth through innovative technology solutions. By modernizing the 100% cloud insourced (AWS) platforms that power ~1.5B Customer touchpoints annually, Gerald spearheads the optimization of digital capabilities and automation utilized by 20K+ Capital One Associates for thousands of daily interactions. Prior to Capital One, Gerald led transformational technology initiatives at Under Armour, where he designed and executed the upgrade of Customer journeys globally, including their global payment architecture, and rebuilt their IT infrastructure, enabling omni-channel experiences as well as increasing sales productivity, profitability, and elastic, on-demand, service competencies. While at Cisco prior to Under Armour, Gerald was selected to deliver a self-sustaining growth strategy for the $5B+ U.S. Public Sector business, including growth markets, partner ventures, and investment portfolio.

Preceding Cisco, Gerald was instrumental in helping to complete the successful sale of OAO Technology Solutions, where he then developed the forward-looking corporate strategy in collaboration with the Board. In his prior role at TRW, Gerald helped turn around multi-million dollar losing subsidiaries and acquisitions, driving astonishing growth & innovation. He also served as the key technical and program architect for the design, implementation, and operations of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR system, one of the U.S. government’s first online, regulatory, big data, eCommerce systems.

Gerald is an active board member holding leadership and advisory positions within public/private and non-profit organizations. As a key technology industry thought leader, he is a published author, speaker, presenter, and moderator at global technology industry events, including the Public Services Summit at the Nobel Peace Conference. He won the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Service and Achievement in college, holds a M.S. and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland and Illinois Institute of Technology, respectively, and CISSP (ISC2) certification (2004 – 2013).

Gerald is married, the father of four Eagle Scouts, and enjoys sports, including cycling and scuba diving.