Charles Carithers

Charles Carithers is a principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a full-service, bipartisan consulting firm where he advises a diverse set of clients with interests related to national security, defense, and homeland security. He previously served as a professional staff member with the Committee on Homeland Security in the House of Representatives, advising Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS2) on various national security and intelligence matters. Before joining the Committee, Charles spent 11 years in the intelligence community, having served in various leadership capacities at IARPA, ODNI’s Policy Division, and DIA. Charles also served as a Brookings Institution legislative fellow with the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in the Senate, where he advised then-ranking member Sen. Thomas Carper and committee staff on matters related to national security. Charles serves on the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) DC Leadership Council, is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is a visiting fellow with the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. He is the recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award and Medal and the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Award and Medal. Charles also serves as chairman of the Board of Advisors for Black Professionals in International Affairs and is a member of the board of directors for the nonprofit STEM4US. He is a 2005 graduate of Morehouse College, a 2007 graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies.