Charlie Palmer was first introduced to Operation Surf by a former participant and was immediately captured by the vision of the operation and by the stories of healing and restored hope among veterans.  He believes that every American owes our veterans and their families a debt of gratitude and respect that should be accompanied by action in some form.  As a philanthropist and practicing attorney, Charlie focuses his charitable efforts on veterans and their families.  He is a longstanding volunteer at Central California Legal Services, providing pro bono estate plans for veterans and their spouses.  He also attends veterans “stand-downs” to offer free legal counseling and basic estate plans to veterans.  In 2014, Charlie was a guardian to a WWII veteran on the Central Valley Honor Flight to Washington, which started a close relationship with that organization that remains today.

As a regular donor to Operation Surf, Charlie got to know Van and Amanda over the years and learn more about the operation and its amazing team.  In 2023 he was honored to join that team as a board member, a position which is both humbling and exciting (yes, he will be on a surfboard soon!).

Born and raised in Chicago, Charlie lives in Fresno and is a founding partner of the law firm Clovis Law Group LLP, practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration.