Charlie Wurst joined the State 4-H Staff in Georgia as Camping and Natural Resources Specialist on July 1, 2006. This marked a homecoming of sorts for Charlie, who was an active 4-H Club member for eight years in Lincoln County; a Georgia 4-H camp counselor and collegiate 4-H’er while attending the University of Georgia; State 4-H Staff program assistant; and, an active 4-H volunteer leader, serving as advisor for the UGA Collegiate 4-H Club and president of the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association.

Charlie received his A.B.J. (Journalism) from the University of Georgia in 1985, and, following his stint in the State 4-H Office, went to work for U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, serving as an aide in the senator’s Atlanta office and as North Georgia Field Representative.  Charlie stayed connected to UGA after his time in Sen. Nunn’s office by joining the Development office at the University, spending eight years as Director of Development for the School of Law and almost five years as a Regional Director for Principal and Major Gifts.

Charlie remains a true believer in 4-H, and not just because it is his job.  “I believe 4-H is one of the very best pathways to success available to our youth, and 4-H camping offers many children their first opportunity to experience a bigger world than they have known previously. “4-H camping helps young people develop emotional intelligence through activities that cannot be conventionally taught but must be experienced.”

Charlie is married to a former 4-H’er and 4-H camp counselor (whom he met at Rock Eagle 4-H Center), has a daughter, 12, who is a 4-H’er, and a daughter, 9, who wants to be a 4-H’er. Time away from work is mostly spent with his family or reading about, watching or even playing some kind of sport.  He lives in Athens and is an active member of Tuckston United Methodist Church and the Athens Area Walk to Emmaus community.