West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 114

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Charlotte Weber
Director & CEO, Robert C. Byrd Institute,
and Vice President for Federal Programs,
Marshall University
KRISTEN UPPERCUE
Photo by Michael Switzer DesignWorks.
LONG BEFORE CHARLOTTE WEBER became the first female
director and CEO of the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) and
first female vice president for federal programs at Marshall
University, she dreamed of being a teacher, lawyer, detective or
singer. Even though her career aspirations evolved, one thing
that has remained constant in her life is the support she receives
from her family, particularly her parents, husband and children.
“My husband has understood for the past 21 years that my
passion and mission in life is to try to make a difference every
day, and my family’s support has been one of the most important
factors in any success I have achieved,” she says.
Weber accepted her first professional position working the
front desk for Senator Robert C. Byrd in Washington, D.C.
in 1987. She then transitioned to Byrd’s projects office before
working alongside him in the office for the Senate Committee
on Appropriations. Weber considers this experience her greatest
professional achievement because it taught her that having a
passion for what she does and a fire in her belly were critical to
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