Charles (Charlie) Rawls is an experienced leader in federal legal and policy matters focused on agriculture and agricultural credit. Most recently he completed 18 years of service as General Counsel of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA), an independent federal financial regulator which ensures the safety and soundness, and mission service, of the Farm Credit System (FCS), The FCS, a network of farmer-owned cooperatives, provides credit and related financial services to eligible borrowers including many thousands of farmers and ranchers across the United States.
His prior federal experience includes significant leadership roles at the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including as chief of staff to Deputy Secretary Richard E. Rominger. He was nominated and confirmed as General Counsel of the Department (1998 to 2000), during which time he managed the staff and complex legal and regulatory affairs of the Department. His accomplishments include collaboration with the Department of Justice and Congress to settle the initial class action brought by African American farmers for violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. He also led an effort to resolve a complex dispute between a Native American Tribe and a large municipality over certain lands managed by the Forest Service.
Rawls has extensive legal and policy experience with federal agriculture and agricultural credit legislation, including Farm Bills, having served on the staff of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Currently he serves on the USDA Equity Commission, which was appointed by the Secretary in 2022 to study and make recommendations to improve access and service to all USDA customers. Rawls earned a B.A. in Business Management from North Carolina State University, and a J.D. degree from the Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. He has been a member of the state bar of North Carolina since 1982.
