Charles (Chuck) Drake is overseeing the Western Flyer Foundation’s move to Monterey supported by Congressman Panetta’s Congressionally Directed Community Project Funding. Chuck has over 30 years of experience in naval and commercial offshore business and operations. After earning an engineering degree in college, Chuck became an officer and aviator in the US Navy. He was a mission commander and instructor pilot and participated in many operations and exercises around the world conducting anti-submarine warfare. Critical to the successful location and tracking of modern submarines is an understanding of sound propagation and the ocean environment, a subject in which Chuck maintains an interest. After leaving the Navy, Chuck earned an MBA in London, UK, and also began to travel for sailing cruises, undertaking many voyages in the Mediterranean, Australia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Chuck’s professional career has included managing subsea robotics development programs, helping to build offshore geotechnical businesses, and negotiating real estate transactions and development entitlements in accordance with California’s coastal laws. An avid reader and fan of John Steinbeck, Chuck is a local Monterey Peninsula resident who enjoys sailing the Monterey Bay on the Farr 52’ yacht “Atalanta”.