Buies Creek, N.C.-Dr. Charles C. Franquet, a 1999 summa cum laude graduate of Campbell University’s Fort Bragg campus, has returned to Fort Bragg as the extended campus director.
A former engineering contractor for Bell Helicopter, Franquet spent most of his career on the Fort Bragg reservation, supporting the active duty military’s helicopter-based aviation units and deploying with them on overseas missions such as operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
Prior to his 20-year career with Bell Helicopter, Franquet served as an Army NCO assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens, Mass.
“It was always a lifelong dream of mine to give back to the community through some kind of academic venture,” said Franquet. “What better way than to serve the university from which I received my undergraduate degree.”
Franquet began teaching online business courses for Campbell in 2001, and went on to earn an MBA and a Ph.D. in business. He believes his military experiences and corporate background will be some of his greatest strengths as campus director.
“As a corporate employee, I’ve been exposed to a number of successful management models,” he said. “This global economic crisis cries out for different ways of doing business.”
His military experience will also help smooth the transition when Pope Air Force Base is absorbed by Fort Bragg under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
“I feel that my knowledge and experience will be advantages in these situations and hopefully bear fruit in the future,” he said.
Looking forward, Franquet added that Fort Bragg has reestablished the Bachelor of Health Sciences program in response to the needs of the community and the active duty military.
“One of my goals is to engage in joint-ventures like this in the future that further the missions of Campbell and the military,” he said.
Franquet and his wife Lori are the parents of a daughter Amanda, who will soon be transferring to Campbell University’s main campus.
Currently, Campbell’s Fort Bragg campus offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Accounting, Psychology, the Bachelor of Applied Science and the Bachelor of Health Science.
Photo Copy: Dr. Charles Franquet