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Administrator from Hopkins joins Storm Eye  by Heather Woolwine Public Relations Charles Skipper, Ph.D., Storm Eye Institute administrator, was not born in Charleston, but he knows a good thing when he sees it. That’s why he decided to leave his administrative position with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore for a position with the Storm Eye Institute and a chance to reside in Charleston again.   Dr. Charles Skipper  The son of a master sergeant in the Marine Corps, Skipper moved to Charleston for the first time while he was in the eighth grade. After graduating from The Citadel in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in science in civil engineering, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 1972 with a master’s degree in civil engineering.   While in the military, he toured North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, California, Oregon, Hawaii, and Japan. He was a specialist in engineering and logistics and commanded 1,250 men during Operation Desert Storm.   After 27 years of active military service and advancing to the rank of colonel, Skipper felt the need to begin a new career path. This road led him to earn a doctorate in civil engineering project management from Clemson University.   Skipper would combine his knowledge of engineering and related experience with field hospitals while in the military to begin a position with Johns Hopkins. “Working at Johns Hopkins was a great experience, but when moving back to Charleston became an option, we seriously considered it,” Skipper said. “Johns Hopkins is at the top right now and there are certain advantages to that, but working at an up-and-coming university like MUSC also has numerous advantages. There’s a good collegial environment that is moving the entire campus forward and I was interested in being a part of that. My parents are here and my wife has a great job here, too. It’s a good opportunity.”   Skipper’s first day of work on May 2 was met with some surprises. “When I arrived, I just finished preparing the budget for my department at Johns Hopkins, so I was like, ‘Glad that’s done.’ When I came to MUSC, I realized that the Storm Eye’s budget was due three days from my first day. Of course we received an extension and everyone worked hard to get the work done, but it was a little hectic,” he laughed.   Skipper came to the Storm Eye Institute because it “is a good department with an excellent research mission and clinical practice. I believe I was hired to use my experience to bring the department together and improve the processes and communications within the department.”   “Chuck Skipper is a proven leader with a wealth of experiences,” said Edward Wilson, M.D., Storm Eye Institute director and Department of Ophthalmology chairman and professor. “His skills in strategic planning, communication, and fiscal management will benefit Storm Eye and MUSC. His references pointed out his ability to drill down through the details and focus on the essence of any problem to find a solution that works. I can already see these skills at work here. We are very fortunate to have him on the MUSC/Storm Eye team.”   Still making the rounds, meeting staff and asking what employees, physicians, and others are concerned about, Skipper plans to present a five-year strategic plan for Storm Eye in the fall.   “People can work hard and do a good job, but they still need to know what direction they’re headed in,” he said.   Skipper lives with his wife, Janice, on Folly Beach and has three grown children, Gabrielle, Genevieve, and Nathaniel.        Friday, June 24, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.