Charles Gallia is a fifth-generation Oregonian whose connection to Clackamas County runs deep. Charles, his brother, and sister were raised by a single mom, with help from their forest ranger grandfather. Together, these powerful role models gave them an appreciation of the outdoors, encouraged independent thinking, and a good sense of humor even when times are tough.
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Born in St. Helens and raised in Clackamas County (literally off Roots Road) Gallia attended local public schools. He went on to get a Bachelor’s in Political Science, a Middle East Specialist Certificate, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy at Portland State University. He recently earned a certificate in Non-profit Finance from Cornell.
Charles serves as an advisor to local school districts. He runs a small non-profit geared toward aiding low-income people with health care and the non-profits that help them. He was a Senior Policy Advisor for Research and Evaluation with the Oregon Health Authority.
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Charles is also very active in the local community. He is a co-founder of the Oregon Pediatric Improvement Partnership (OPIP). OPIP is a public-private partnership that has successfully worked to ensure that Oregon children with special health care needs are identified and receive appropriate care.
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His service hasn’t stopped there. Charles served as treasurer of the Clackamas County Community Health Council, a member of the campaign advisory council for the Clackamas Volunteers in Medicine/Clackamas Community College Partnership for Community Health and Education, on the Clackamas County Parks Advisory Board, as Chair of the Clackamas County Economic Development Commission, Chair of the Clackamas Fire District #1 Budget Committee, and Chair of Democratic Party of Clackamas County.
