A Lifetime of Service and Leadership
​Early Career and Service in Iraq
Charles M. Evanson’s military journey began with a deep commitment to service and a drive to lead from the front. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a young man, determined to make a difference in the wake of a changing world after the turn of the millennium. Trained as a motor transport Marine, Evanson quickly proved himself both technically skilled and dependable under pressure. In the early years of his career, he mastered the maintenance and operation of a wide range of military vehicles, from Humvees to heavy transport trucks, ensuring troops and supplies could move reliably wherever they were needed. His work ethic and competence did not go unnoticed by his superiors, and he earned rapid promotion through the enlisted ranks. By 2005, then-Sergeant Evanson was already entrusted with significant responsibility on deployment in Iraq, at the height of the Iraq War. That year, he was hand-selected for an elite 11-member Military Transition Team (MiTT) in An Numaniyah, Iraq, a team charged with training and mentoring the newly formed Iraqi Army’s 2nd Brigade, 7th Division.
​
Serving alongside a small group of Marines with diverse specialties, Sgt. Evanson applied his expertise as a motor transport mechanic and logistician to help build the logistics and transportation capabilities of the fledgling Iraqi unit. He and his teammates worked tirelessly to instill core military skills and values in Iraqi soldiers, many of whom were veterans of previous conflicts but were now learning to operate in a modern, disciplined army. Evanson’s role was pivotal in teaching maintenance procedures and convoy operations – the lifeline of any military unit. With patience and professionalism, he mentored Iraqi soldiers on vehicle upkeep and effective transport of troops and supplies under combat conditions. The mission was as challenging as it was critical: the team had to overcome language barriers, cultural differences, and a dangerous security environment. Yet, Evanson excelled. He demonstrated cultural sensitivity and steadfast leadership, helping to mold a cohesive Iraqi force capable of sustaining itself. By the end of that tour, over 1,000 Iraqi recruits had been trained, and Evanson’s contributions had directly aided in standing up a combat-ready Iraqi brigade; a testament to his mentorship and leadership in a multinational effort. This early experience in Iraq solidified Charles Evanson’s reputation as a Marine who not only accomplished the mission but also uplifted others in the process. It also underscored his belief in service beyond self, a theme that would continue throughout his career.
​​
Rising Through the Ranks of Warrant Officer
Following his success as an enlisted leader, Evanson continued to pursue excellence and greater responsibility. He returned from Iraq with invaluable experience, and over the next few years he applied those lessons in stateside assignments and additional deployments. His superiors recognized in him a rare combination of technical savvy and natural leadership. Evanson was promoted to Staff Sergeant, and in this role, he managed motor transport Marines in diverse units, ensuring that trucks, Humvees, and heavy equipment were battle-ready at all times. He became known for his meticulous planning of convoys and maintenance cycles, often mentoring junior Marines in the motor pool after hours to improve their skills. Whether it was preparing a platoon of vehicles for a field exercise or coordinating emergency repairs for critical missions, Evanson was the calm center in the storm, solving problems with a can-do attitude. It was during this period that he also embraced opportunities for professional education, attending advanced courses in logistics and maintenance management. He sought out new challenges, and the Marine Corps offered him one of its highest honors for a seasoned enlisted Marine; a chance to become a Warrant Officer.
In 2009, Charles Evanson was selected for the Warrant Officer program, a testament to his technical expertise and leadership acumen. He attended the rigorous Warrant Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia, transitioning from the enlisted ranks to the officer corps while retaining his focus as a technical specialist in logistics. Upon pinning on the single bar of a Warrant Officer, Evanson began a new chapter of service. As a Marine Corps Warrant Officer, a role reserved for the most skilled and experienced in their fields, he took on the title of Marine Corps Motor Transport Officer, responsible not just for leading Marines, but for acting as the subject matter expert in all matters of transportation and vehicle maintenance. He soon earned promotion to Chief Warrant Officer 2 and then Chief Warrant Officer 3, reflecting his growing experience and impact. In these roles, Evanson served as the bridge between the enlisted Marines on the ground turning wrenches and the senior officers planning missions. He leveraged his years of hands-on know-how to advise commanders on logistical planning, and he inspired confidence in the young Marines who saw that their Warrant Officer had walked the same path they were on. By the end of the 2010s, Charles M. Evanson had risen to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4, one of the highest Warrant Officer ranks in the Marine Corps, entrusted with the mantle of technical leadership at the executive level.
​
Leadership In Combat and Global Operations
As a newly minted Warrant Officer in the late 2000s and early 2010s, CWO Evanson stepped into roles that would test and prove his leadership on a global stage. In 2010, he was assigned as a Maintenance Officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 26 (CLB-26), the logistics element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). In this capacity, then Warrant Officer 1 Evanson found himself responsible for the readiness of a vast array of vehicles and equipment for a Marine Air-Ground Task Force numbering over 2,000 personnel. It was a daunting task, CLB-26 had to both train for deployment and simultaneously support the training of the entire MEU. Evanson played a key role in orchestrating this balancing act. As the battalion prepared for deployment aboard naval ships, Evanson oversaw comprehensive maintenance and logistics training at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Under his leadership, the Marines of CLB-26 executed a rigorous pre-deployment training program, covering everything from weapons qualifications to emergency medical drills, all while providing real-time support to the MEU’s exercises. “One of the toughest aspects at Fort Pickett is managing all the training while at the same time providing all the support the MEU needs,” one officer noted of the challenge the battalion faced. CWO Evanson helped meet that challenge head on, coordinating transportation, fuel, vehicle repairs, and supply lines so effectively that his battalion kept the entire 26th MEU on track. He even made time to incorporate additional unit-specific training for his Marines, ensuring they were as prepared as possible for any scenario. This kind of foresight and dedication to duty highlighted Evanson’s hallmark leadership style: lead by example, plan thoroughly, and never ask Marines to do something he wouldn’t do himself.
When the 26th MEU deployed later that year, CWO Evanson’s preparation was put to the test in real-world operations. The 26th MEU’s 2010-2011 deployment proved to be historic. The unit was called upon to respond to multiple crises and conflicts across several countries, becoming the first MEU in memory to execute every type of mission it had trained for. From delivering humanitarian aid to supporting combat missions, the Marines under Evanson’s care did it all. The MEU was diverted early to Pakistan in August 2010 to help with devastating flood relief efforts, where Evanson’s logistics expertise ensured that food, water, and medical supplies reached those in need. Not long after, elements of the MEU were engaged in combat operations in Afghanistan, reinforcing NATO efforts against insurgent forces. Evanson was integral in sustaining these operations from beyond the horizon: he coordinated the shipment of armored vehicles and critical parts into theater, overcoming the challenges of distance and hostile environments. His meticulous attention to vehicle maintenance meant that patrol convoys had the highest possible readiness rates, directly contributing to the safety and effectiveness of Marines on the ground. Then, in early 2011, the 26th MEU was called into action yet again – this time in North Africa. As uprisings shook Libya, the MEU took part in Operation Odyssey Dawn, enforcing a no-fly zone and protecting civilians. CWO Evanson and his Marines provided the backbone logistical support for aviation missions and a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) after an American pilot went down in the Libyan desert. Through each of these rapid shifts, from humanitarian assistance in one country to combat in another; Evanson’s steady leadership ensured that the logistics never faltered. His commanding officer later noted that such adaptability reinforced the “versatility of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force”, and it was leaders like Evanson making that versatility a reality on the ground. For his exceptional performance under the pressures of deployment, Evanson earned the respect of his commanders and peers. He helped write a chapter of Marine Corps history, proving that a well-led logistics team can enable success in any environment. These experiences in global operations honed Evanson’s strategic outlook and deepened his dedication to public service – he saw firsthand the importance of effective leadership in times of crisis.
​
Innovation, Mentorship, and Technical Excellence
Throughout his career, CWO4 Charles Evanson became renowned not only for meeting the immediate mission but also for improving the organizations he was part of. He had a visionary streak that drove him to implement technical innovations and efficiencies in military logistics. For example, Evanson was an early advocate for modernizing the Marine Corps’ motor transport fleet management. He spearheaded the adoption of new maintenance tracking software that improved scheduling of repairs and predictive part replacement, significantly reducing vehicle downtime and costs (an achievement that earned recognition at the enterprise level within the Marines). He also led initiatives to upgrade the protective capabilities of vehicles under his charge. During the years when improvised explosive device (IED) threats were highest, Evanson ensured his unit rapidly fielded Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and the latest armor enhancements. His technical insights and proactive approach undoubtedly helped save lives by providing Marines with the best equipment available. Senior leaders often turned to Evanson’s deep practical knowledge when evaluating new technologies or techniques. Evanson’s commitment to innovation was always tied to a practical goal: to make his Marines safer, more effective, and better supported.
​
Beyond technology and equipment, CWO4 Evanson’s legacy is perhaps most profoundly seen in the people he guided. He embraced his role as a mentor and teacher to the next generation of Marines. Having risen from the junior ranks himself, he understood the challenges young service members faced. He made it a point to establish a culture of learning and professional development in every unit he served. As an officer, Evanson’s office door was always open. He routinely held informal workshops on leadership and ethics for non-commissioned officers, sharing stories of successes and failures from his own journey. Under his tutelage, dozens of Marines earned promotions and advanced technical certifications. Many of his mentees credit him with inspiring them to make the Marine Corps a career and follow in his footsteps into the Warrant Officer program or commissioned officer roles. His blend of humility and passion made him an effective role model. Notably, even as he climbed to the upper echelons of the Warrant Officer ranks, Evanson remained approachable to the most junior Marines. He believed every person had untapped potential and that a true leader’s job was to bring that out. This mentorship ethos not only improved individual lives and careers but also strengthened the Marine Corps as a whole – a contribution not as easily measured as vehicles repaired or missions completed, but one with enduring impact on the institution. For his devotion to his Marines and innovative contributions, Evanson received numerous commendations over the years. His personal decorations include awards for meritorious service and achievement reflecting the high esteem in which he is held. (Note: Specific awards and honors are omitted for brevity, but CWO4 Evanson’s record includes multiple personal commendation medals and the gratitude of those he led.)
​
Overcoming Adversity and Demonstrating Resilience
Perhaps the most compelling chapter of Charles Evanson’s life came from a moment of personal crisis that would have ended most careers, but which instead showcased his extraordinary resilience. In 2017, after years of deploying to war zones and dangerous environments unscathed, tragedy struck at home. Evanson was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that resulted in a devastating injury: the loss of his left foot. The accident was life-threatening and life-altering. In an instant, this battle-hardened Marine and accomplished athlete faced the very real possibility of medical retirement and an end to the service that had defined him. For anyone, such an injury is a profound challenge; for a Marine Officer accustomed to leading from the front, it could have been shattering. Evanson, however, was determined that this would not be the end of his story. As he recovered at Walter Reed and at Wounded Warrior Battalion East, he displayed the same tenacity and fighting spirit that had carried him through combat deployments. Through a few months recovery and painful rehabilitation, he set himself a goal that stunned many: not only to walk again, but to return to full active duty with no restrictions on his ability to serve.
​
Evanson was fitted with a high-performance prosthetic leg, and from the outset he treated this advanced piece of technology not as a handicap but as his chance to prove his motto, “Always in the Attack.” He pushed himself through physical therapy, relearning to stand, then to walk, then to run. In fact, he pushed so hard that he began to surpass even able-bodied Marines in some fitness events; a feat that earned him the nickname “Warrior Athlete” among his peers. His progress was nothing short of inspirational. Not long after the accident, Evanson shocked the Marine Corps by passing the same grueling fitness test required of all Marines, demonstrating that he could run, do pull-ups, and perform combat conditioning events as well as ever. True to his word, he returned to full duty as a Marine with no limitations, becoming one of the very few amputees to continue serving in uniform. By 2018, as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, he was at 2nd Marine Division as a motor transport officer, with the same high expectations, which he fulfilled brilliantly. Marines who served with Evanson during this time recall how he didn’t seek special treatment; to the contrary, he often downplayed his injury and redirected praise to his family, the leadership, medical staff and therapists who helped him recover. But there was no denying the impact his example had. Evanson’s sheer courage and resilience resonated throughout the ranks. Young Marines recovering from their own wounds, whether physical or mental, saw in him a role model of perseverance. He became informally involved with the Wounded Warrior Battalion, encouraging fellow injured servicemembers to stay positive and set ambitious goals for their recovery. For his indomitable spirit, Evanson received admiration from the highest levels of Marine Corps leadership. More importantly to him, he was able to continue doing the job he loved: leading Marines. This period of overcoming adversity added a new depth to Evanson’s leadership. It taught him, and those around him, that no obstacle is too great and that with grit and support, even the hardest setbacks can be transformed into triumphs. It is a lesson he carries beyond the military into every aspect of life.
​​
Transition to Civilian Life and Continued Public Service
After more than two decades of military service, Charles M. Evanson decided to retire from the Marine Corps and bring his dedication to leadership and public service into a new arena. He concluded his active-duty career as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, having served with distinction across multiple continents and earned the enduring respect of all who wore the uniform alongside him. Evanson’s military career was marked by honor, courage, and commitment, the core values of the Marine Corps, and he carried those values with him as he transitioned to civilian life. Upon hanging up his uniform, he returned home to his community.
​
It wasn’t long before community leaders and neighbors began urging Charles Evanson to consider running for public office. They saw in him the qualities desperately needed in government: integrity, accountability, and a selfless drive to serve others. After thoughtful consideration and family discussions, Evanson embraced this new call to service. He announced his candidacy for Governor with a simple message, A vote for Chaz Evanson is a vote for Faith and Virtue in governance, and for the enduring principles of Constitutional Freedom.” As a gubernatorial candidate, Evanson presents a unique profile: a combat-tested veteran and dedicated public servant who has proven his ability to lead large organizations through crises. He draws upon his extensive leadership accomplishments from the military to inform his vision for the state’s future. He relates his experience mentoring young Marines to his plans for improving education and vocational training, knowing that investing in people yields the greatest returns. His commendations for teamwork and bravery become anecdotes about bridging divides and standing up for what is right, whether on the battlefield or in the state capitol. Evanson’s campaign highlights his public service ethos: he has literally put his life on the line for his country, and now he is ready to do the same for his state through honest governance and responsive leadership.
​
A Leader for the Future
Charles M. Evanson’s personal biography reads like an American chronicle of service, sacrifice, and grit. From training soldiers in the dust of Iraq, to sustaining Marines across oceans, to overcoming grievous injury and returning to serve, his life has been defined by meeting challenges with action and heart. It is a journey that has prepared him exceptionally well for executive leadership in civilian life. Evanson brings to the table not only proven leadership accomplishments and a chest full of commendations, but also a human touch born of mentorship and compassion. He has led in combat and led in community, innovated in technology and inspired by example. Civilians and veterans alike find his story both relatable and reassuring: here is someone who has faced adversity and never faltered in his duty. As he now seeks to serve in elected office, Charles Evanson carries forward the same unwavering commitment to Faith and Virtue. With his lifetime of experience, CWO4 (Ret.) Charles M. Evanson stands ready to take on the next mission as a governor who leads from the front, listens to the needs of his constituents, and never quits until the job is done. His resilience and dedication offer a powerful promise of what effective, principled leadership can achieve for the community, the state, and the nation.
​
Charles M. Evanson – A Lifetime of Service, Now for Colorado
Charles M. Evanson brings to Colorado a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and principled leadership forged over two decades in the United States Marine Corps. From the streets of Iraq to the halls of training commands, from leading Marines in combat to mentoring the next generation, Evanson’s story is one of grit, vision, and relentless devotion to duty. Now, as a gubernatorial candidate, he seeks to bring that same commitment to the people of Colorado, guided by a clear message: Faith and Virtue lead to Freedom.
​
A Combat-Tested Leader Who Builds Teams and Delivers Results
Charles Evanson began his military career as an enlisted Marine and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Warrant Officer 4, one of the highest technical leadership positions in the Corps. He distinguished himself early in Iraq, where he was hand-picked for an elite Military Transition Team that trained over 1,000 Iraqi soldiers in logistics, transportation, and combat operations. His leadership helped stand up a combat-ready brigade during one of the most volatile periods of the Iraq War.
​
Evanson later took on roles of increasing responsibility, leading Marine logistics and motor transport operations across the globe—from South West Asia and Libya to humanitarian missions in Pakistan. He became renowned not only for leading successful missions but also for modernizing logistics systems, reducing costs, and mentoring the Marines under his charge. His unit readiness consistently exceeded 90%, often the best in the Marine Expeditionary Force.
​
Innovation, Integrity, and Grit
Evanson spearheaded efforts to adopt predictive maintenance systems across Marine Corps motor transport operations, saving millions in operational costs. When the threat of IEDs surged, he expedited upgrades to vehicle armor and ensured troops had Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in the field. His Team executed Noncombatant Evacuation Operations that saved civilians during international crises.
​
In 2017, tragedy struck when Evanson lost his leg in a traffic accident
What could have ended his career instead became a testament to his character. Fitted with a prosthetic, he returned to full active duty, passed the same physical tests as his peers, and continued to lead Marines. His example became a source of inspiration across the Corps, proving that resilience and spirit can overcome even the gravest challenges.
​
From Battlefield to Ballot – A New Mission for Colorado
After retiring with 20 years of honorable service, Evanson returned home to his family and community. Neighbors and veterans urged him to run for office, inspired by his unwavering integrity and mission-focused mindset. In response, Evanson launched his campaign for Governor of Colorado; not as a career politician, but as a proven leader who believes government should serve the people with the same discipline and duty expected in the military.
​
His platform focuses on restoring faith in public institutions, protecting constitutional freedoms, and ensuring government accountability. He draws from his experience in crisis management to improve emergency preparedness, and from years of mentoring Marines to strengthen vocational training and education across the state.
​
A Governor Who Will Lead From the Front
Charles M. Evanson is more than a candidate, he’s a servant leader who has dedicated his life to protecting and uplifting others. His story resonates with working families, veterans, and anyone who values courage, character, and commitment. As Colorado faces new challenges, Evanson offers something rare in politics: a leader who listens, who never quits, and who always puts service above self.
​
Vote for Charles “Chaz” Evanson – A vote for Faith, Virtue, and Freedom in Colorado.