Patron Spotlight

HONORING CHARLES BOWMAN

Each issue, Opera Carolina highlights a patron whose philanthropic work has transformed our company and the community.

By Cathy Bessant

Charles Bowman is my hero, my colleague and my friend. He is known for turning the ordinaryor routine into the extraordinary and unique. Several years ago, he invited our entire office floor to celebrate Pi Day. Charles, of course, had found a way to take math and make it fun. He arranged to bake and serve us pies, making Pi Day a day we celebrate every year. Who knew?

And… don’t be fooled by his business suits! Charles is a legend at BofA for celebrating -- in large groups -- with the songs and limericks that he has written and performed.

A well-known visionary, leader and pioneer, Charles is a wonderful motivator of teams. Countless stories at Bank of America and in Charlotte testify to his optimism and humble spirit. Anyone who knows him will tell you his laugh is infectious. He doesn’t shy away from the tough jobs because he knows how to drive teams towards a common goal. Even if you don’t know Charles, you’ve benefited from his ability to connect people and generate momentum for important issues and causes. Charles started in Bank of America’s Legal department as an attorney for Global Corporate & Investment Banking. Soon, he was asked to lead Corporate Compliance, well before compliance became “cool” within our industry. As was typical for Charles, he often addressed topics before they became popular in order to best prepare the bank for the future.

As a market president for Charlotte and North Carolina, Charles has served on more civic and community boards that are, literally, too numerous to list. He is an advisor and mentor to our region’s greatest minds – and hearts. He often takes on “impossible” tasks: raising money, rescuing struggling organizations or projects. And being market president and corralling the likes of Hugh McColl, David Darnell, Andrea Smith and me? Another impossible task that only Charles could handle. Charles manages leadership and stakeholder points of view the same way he does everything: collaboratively, positively and diplomatically. What else would you expect from a guy with a bachelor’s

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