Charlene is a certified public accountant, a certified fraud examiner, and a certified research administrator. She recently retired as Associate Vice President, Research Administration with the University of Nevada, Reno, and had over 30 years of experience in accounting and compliance. 

Charlene also has a strong dedication to her community. She served on the Washoe County School District Audit Committee for over ten years, served a four-year term on the Washoe County School District Other Postemployment Benefits Board, served as board treasurer for the Washoe County DUI Task Force for four years, served on the Domestic Violence Resource Center (formerly the Committee to Aid Abused Women) board for eight years as treasurer and then as chairperson and served on the for FBI Reno Citizens Academy Alumni Association as board treasurer.  Charlene currently serves on the Washoe County Audit Committee.

Charlene has lived in Reno for over 30 years. She is married and has two sons, two step-sons, and nine grandchildren. When Charlene is not donating her time to the community, she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and dancing.