World Circumnavigator
Charlie Simon, is a popular and accomplished speaker and author with a degree in
Electrical Engineering, a Masters in Computer Science and a USCG Captain's License.
Charlie and his wife, Cathy, spent 14 months,
visited 5 continents, 16 countries, crossed three major oceans plus
many Seas sailing a 26,000 mile circumnavigation. Highlights of the trip were
seeing unique species on Galapagos, a visit to the rim of the active Mt.
Yasur volcano in Vanuatu and a safari in South Africa.
On New York's Times Square Big Screen when the circumnavigation was complete!
Sailing Highlights
Originally from San Francisco, California, Charlie is a lifelong sailor and
sports adventurer. As well as circumnavigating,
he has also sailed around the USA coast from Alaska to Nova Scotia, Canada via the Panama Canal.
Sailing Organizations
Memberships include: Explorer's Club, Circumnavigators' Club, US Sailing Organization, Ocean Cruising Club, Seven Seas Cruising Association, Annapolis Yacht Club,
Corinthian Yacht Club of San Francisco (USA), the Vallarta Yacht Club (Mexico), the Niue Yacht Club
(Niue), the Musket Cove Yacht Club (Fiji), and the Zululand Yacht Club
(South Africa).
Professional Highlights
Include having managed the Microsoft/NBC (MSNBC.com) Internet site total
redesign, the largest news site on the web, now NBCNews.com.
As an independent software developer he gained national
recognition personally and for his products through write-ups by
Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other leading media.
Considered an industry expert, Charlie was contracted by New York
publisher, Van Nostrand Reinhold (now part of John Wiley & Sons) and
wrote the successful book, CAD for Printed Circuits.
Also, he maintains memberships in MENSA and IEEE.
Sailing in Alaska
Sports /Adventure Highlights
In addition to sailing, Charlie has enjoyed diving, bicycling and downhill skiing while traveling around
the world.
Diving in Galapagos
Philanthropy Highlights
Charlie has seen the global connection of people and the power of philanthropy.
Global giving has been an opportunity to promote good will among people and countries.
Also,
Charlie was a Microsoft Alumni Foundation Fellow Award nominee (which
recognized philanthropic work).
Recent philanthropy includes: Cyclone PAM Relief
in Vanuatu near Fiji, South Africa's Hoedspruit Endangered Species
Centre, International Junior Sailing in Banderas Bay, Mexico, and in the
USA, The National Sailing Hall of Fame, The Annapolis Yacht Club Foundataion, Arts and Sciences, Public Radio and a regional Medical School.
Receiving a Science-Center commendation
Starting a 200-mile bike-a-thon