For 37 years, Charles Schara of Alexandria, VA, served as an officer for GEICO Corporation. He joined the company as an accountant in 1976 and rapidly rose through positions of increasing responsibility. He accepted his first management role in 1983 and the following year became director of statutory accounting for the corporation's property-casualty companies. In the same year, Charles Schara of VA became the company's youngest Planning Center manager as well as assistant vice president in charge of internal audit.

Mr. Schara took on the role of treasurer of GEICO Corp. and its subsidiaries in late 1987 and held the position for more than 26 years. Responsible for payroll, accounts payable, and remittance, he also oversaw short-term investments valued as high as $9 billion. He further distinguished himself as president of Criterion Life Company, which he led until its sale to Metropolitan Life, and chaired both the Corporate Payment Task Force and the company's board for benefits plans.

Mr. Schara now leads as president of CGS Consulting Associates. In this role, he offers customized management control systems as well as leadership and corporate restructuring support to client companies.