Charles Van Rysselberge is a veteran chief executive of chambers of commerce. His 40 year career extends across five states. His peers have awarded him the highest credentials possible in his field: Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) for his professional qualifications in 1986, and Five Star Accreditation Status by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and again in 2011, as President & CEO for the Charleston, South Carolina Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Charles concluded a 40 year chamber of commerce management career on March 31, 2011. His most recent career stops included:
- 2002-2011: President & CEO, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
- 2001-2002: Consultant, Fremont Development Group, Atlanta, GA
- 1993-2001: President & CEO, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
- 1988-1993: Executive Vice President, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
- 1986-1988: President & CEO, Shreveport Chamber of Commerce
- 1981-1986: President & CEO, Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
He has dual citizenship (American and Belgian) and is a South Carolina Consular Corps member, serving as the foreign trade advisor for the country of Belgium. He is a member of the Board of Visitors at Charleston Southern University, Charleston Branch of the U.S. Power Squadron for boaters, Alliance Francaise and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Has been a Rotarian for over 30 years.
Previous volunteer involvement has included Board of Directors for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Carolina Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, Maritime Association of South Carolina, Alliance for Regional Stewardship, a national organization focused upon regional collaboration.
He has been a Certified Chamber of Commerce Executive (CCE) since 1986 and his Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce was named a “Five Star Accredited Chamber” in 2005 and again in 2011, by the U.S. Chamber. In 2007, his Chamber was one of three finalists for “Chamber of the Year” honors with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association (ACCE). In 1999, his Chamber in Oklahoma City received the “Quality Award for Commitment” from the Oklahoma Quality Award Foundation. In 1998, his Chamber in Oklahoma City was named in the Top Three Chambers nationally by the National Association of Membership Development (NAMD).
Van Rysselberge is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in journalism/mass communication. His master’s thesis was on chamber communication programs in metropolitan U.S. cities. He served in the U.S. Army as a Signal Corps officer. Van Rysselberge and his family live on Daniel Island.
