I was born Charles Michael Prignano on 23 August 1949 in Elmhurst, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. I spent most of my adult life in the military, working my way up through the enlisted ranks and into the officer corps, retiring at the rank of Major. I married a Spanish “señorita” (my first, last and only wife), Paqui, while stationed at Torrejon Air Base, Spain just outside Madrid on 23 May 1972. I am a former Assistant Professor at The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After retiring from the Air Force in 1995, while stationed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, I ran unsuccessfully for Congress (Fifth District, Illinois). We returned to Colorado Springs where I began promoting and staging Big Band Dances at The Broadmoor Hotel, The City Auditorium, The Crowne Plaza Hotel, and The Antlers Hilton Hotel. I still put on “Major Mandolin’s Annual Gala New Year’s Eve Ball” every year – this past year at the Antlers Hilton. I took mandolin lessons at a very early age, but was never truly professionally trained in music theory. I’ve played the mandolin since I was 5 years old, and play mainly at weddings, parties and retirement homes. I began composing music in the year 2000. “Drink a Little, Not a Lot” is my first attempt at having one of my compositions showcased in a music video. I love all types of music – even Rap, Hip Hop, and Heavy Metal. My tastes, however, run more to Pop. My writing tends to be more romantic (“I Remember You Yet”); historic (“How Texas Was Born”); and fun/novelty (“I Fell for a Fat Girl”). A few of my favorite artists are: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marty Robbins, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Junior, Michael Bublé, and Lee Greenwood. 2004 – 2006 and 2006 – 2008 “Rayburn for Congress” Campaign Committee - Member: Bentley Rayburn, MGen, USAF, Retired, Republican, 5th District, Colorado Aug 2001 - Present Musician & Big Band Dance Promoter - Organize, stage and promote “Big Band Dances” and Concerts at The Broadmoor, The Sheraton, The City Auditorium, The Antlers Hilton, etc. - As a “Strolling Strings Minstrel” (“MAJOR MANDOLIN”), I have played at numerous restaurants, weddings, anniversaries, assisted living facilities, etc. May 2001 - Aug 2001 Consumers Insurance Group, Inc. - As a Call Center Phone Representative, I fielded phone calls from the public wishing to buy insurance. Oct 1999 - May 2001 T. Rowe Price - As a 401k Representative, I -- fielded calls from plan participants with questions on their accounts -- responded to inquiries from existing / potential Spanish-speaking clients -- successfully completed state licensing requirements to sell Mutual Funds Oct 1997 - Oct 1999 Prudential / Farmers Insurance - As a Sales Associate, I -- increased sales of auto policies by canvassing Motor City dealerships -- brought insurance “to the people” by renting & manning kiosks in malls -- successfully completed state licensing requirements to sell all lines of insurance Sep 1995 - Mar 1996 Fifth Congressional District, Illinois - As a Candidate for Congress, I -- obtained over 7,500 signatures to have my name placed on the ballot -- campaigned door-to-door throughout the district -- participated in numerous candidate debates & forums. MILITARY SERVICE: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 1968 - 1972 (Enlisted Ranks) 1979 - 1995 (Officer Corps) - Having worked my way up through the Enlisted Ranks and into the Officer Corps, retiring at the rank of Major, I was: -- Assistant Professor, Foreign Language Depart, USAF Academy -- Chief of Protocol, 16th Air Force, Torrejon Air Base, Spain -- a member of The Commander’s Action Group, Air Force Systems Command, Wash., DC S K I L L S Working With Data and Information: - budget manager - resource allocation - self-starter - compute and analyze numbers and data - deadline administrator - quick learner - problem solver - activities coordinator - classify records - manage, delegate and accept responsibility Working With People: - initiate introductions - bilingual (English and Spanish) - friendly and courteous - confront problem situations “head-on” - lead, direct and supervise - confident - negotiate and mediate - review and evaluate others - teach, translate and explain when necessary - good listener - able to empathize with concerns of others - team player - accept, plan and promote necessary changes - persistent - good communicator (oral and written / English and Spanish) Working With Things: - clean and organized - responsible - trust-worthy - punctual - computer literate (MS-DOS, Windows, MAC, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point., etc.) Interests: Computers, coin collecting, cruising, skiing, music. E D U C A T I O N 1983 - 1985 Webster University St. Louis, MO Degree: MA Major: International Relations GPA: 3.5 / 4 1975 - 1976 University of Illinois Chicago, IL Degree: BA Major: Liberal Arts & Sciences GPA: 3.2 / 4 1974 - 1975 University of Barcelona Barcelona Spain Degree: n/a Foreign Exchange Program GPA: n/a 1972 - 1974 Triton College River Grove, IL Degree: AA Major: Liberal Arts & Sciences GPA: 3.8 / 4