Major Contribution to Ravenna Schools
Charles, “Chas” was born in Ravenna in 1944. He attended Ravenna Schools and graduated in 1962. After graduation, Chas attended Kent State University and started a thirty-four year career in music. In 1968, he began working in the insurance business and now owns three agencies in Ravenna, Brimfield and Stow. Chas is currently on the Board of Trustees of the Portage Foundation and is a member of Rotary and the Portage County Insurance Association. In the past, he has served as president of the Insurance Association, was on the Portage County Schools Business Advisory Council, Grange Insurance Advisory Board in Columbus and was Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Kent State Blue and Gold Club. In 1988, he was named the Professional Insurance Agents, “Ohio Agent of the Year” and won the insurance Women of Akron’s, “Distinguished Service Award”. In 1994, Chas developed and organized “Think About Tomorrow”, later renamed, “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow”, a safe driving program aimed at teen drivers in Portage County. In 1991, he introduced the Millennium Cup, a challenge trophy between Ravenna and Kent Roosevelt, to enhance the football rivalry. That was replaced last year when he introduced the “Big R” trophy that is received by the winner of that rivalry each year. In 2003, he founded and developed, through the Portage Insurance Association, a scholarship program for Portage County seniors to attend Kent State. In 2007, he was the Relay for Life Honorary Chair, (cancer survivor). Chas lives in Kent with his wife, Nancy, a retired Brown Middle School teacher. They have three children, Erin, Patrick and Andrew–all graduates of Kent State University. All work in the family business. They also have two grandsons, Alex and Nick Latina.