At SteerBridge, we believe the best leaders are those who serve—those who listen deeply, think strategically, and bring people together to solve the nation’s toughest challenges. Few embody that ideal as powerfully as Charles Tapp II.
Charles, former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), joins SteerBridge not just as a trusted collaborator, but as a mission-aligned leader whose work has transformed how millions of Veterans access benefits. In a recent conversation with SteerBridge Partner Brittany Bramell Punaro, Founder and Partner of Steer PR, Charles reflected on the personal values and pivotal experiences that have shaped his journey—from reluctant Air Force recruit to federal executive.
“I never wanted to be in the military,” Charles said with a smile. “But growing up, service was ingrained in our family. Eventually, the Air Force became a way to grow professionally—and I ended up falling in love with serving alongside others who shared that same sense of purpose.”
Charles' career is a testament to the enduring value of teamwork. In the Air Force, he quickly learned that the best solutions come not from a single voice, but from inviting diverse perspectives into the conversation.
“Some of the quietest people in the room have the best ideas,” he shared. “You have to create space for everyone to contribute. That’s how you find the right path forward.”
That mindset has fueled his leadership across both military and civilian spheres—especially at the VA, where Charles oversaw financial operations across one of the largest benefit systems in the country. Under his guidance, teams improved efficiency, modernized systems, and strengthened accountability to better serve Veterans and their families.
As VBA’s CFO, Charles played a pivotal role in aligning financial strategy with the VA’s core mission: delivering timely, accessible, and effective benefits to those who’ve served.
His leadership helped modernize outdated systems, increase transparency, and enhance the overall Veteran experience—efforts that directly reflect SteerBridge’s own commitment to operational excellence, data-driven innovation, and Veteran-first solutions.
“Charles represents what’s possible when strategic thinking is grounded in purpose,” said Rob Schroder, CEO of SteerBridge. “His leadership aligns perfectly with our mission—to deliver transformative solutions that empower those who serve.”
SteerBridge is proud to introduce Charles not only to our internal team, but also to our extended network across the VA and federal government. His insight will help shape how we continue to support our partners at the VA in addressing complex challenges—whether through financial modernization, digital transformation, or service delivery improvements.
With more than two decades of leadership rooted in accountability, empathy, and collaboration, Charles offers more than credentials—he brings perspective. And as a partner to SteerBridge, he strengthens our ability to serve with integrity and impact.
“The mission matters,” Charles concluded. “And when you’re surrounded by people who care about the mission as much as you do—that’s when real change happens.”