Construction Management alumnus dreamed of being an entrepreneur

On co-op, Hall spent time working for Messer Construction and Monarch Construction. In those roles, he gained experience in skills across the business from estimating, scheduling, and working in the field. He spent several semesters at Messer, reflecting fondly on his time there and the skills he learned. 

However, for his final co-op rotation, Hall took an unconventional approach. He knew he could make money working for himself. During semesters he was in class, he did carpentry jobs on the side to earn extra money for tuition, so he wanted to use his final co-op to work for himself. He went to his adviser and presented the idea, demonstrating the tasks he was doing in his traditional co-op were also things he was doing for his own business. 

"I was able to show my adviser that everything I was doing on co-op like estimating, running, projects, etc., I was doing on my own and could report on it," Hall said. 

He graduated with a degree in Construction Management in 1990. Not long after, he was hired by Turner Construction's International Division and relocated to New York. Just prior to his first assignment abroad, he and his wife found out they were expecting their first child, so he stayed in the U.S. and was moved to the team that was building St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a project that left a lasting impact on him. 

"St. Jude was an amazing experience. I mean, truly it really helped me see I'm doing a lot more than just putting bricks and sticks together, we're changing lives at that hospital," Hall said. 

During his time with Turner, and in the jobs that followed, he worked with some of the world's most talented builders on some high-profile projects. Transitioning to another company, moving to Chicago, and his career on a steady incline, everything came to a halt when he was fired, a situation that ended up being a blessing in disguise. 

After applying and interviewing for positions, unable to find the right fit, he was talking to a friend who coincidentally was looking to hire a firm with the exact skills Hall had. He took this as a sign to start his own business, Charles Hall Construction. 

"Working for myself in college didn't have its true impact until I was fired," he said. "I was able to reflect back on the time I was able to support myself and have the confidence to do the same at the age of 32." 

He was fired in July, and by October of the same year, the business really came together. A father of two, the hardest sell on the business was to his wife, Mollie. Through dedication and hard work, Charles Hall Construction was national within a couple of years, and he was using relationships he'd built to prove his skills and make the company a success. 

"I was able to leverage a lot of the connections I had from my previous experiences," he said. "They believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself to them." 

Building upon this success, he now owns seven different businesses, most of which are focused on the care of senior citizens through building communities, providing caregivers, and more. Thankful for the guidance he received throughout his career, Hall is passionate about mentorship, giving back to young entrepreneurs through organizations like the Young Presidents Organization. 

"My advice to young entrepreneurs is to lean into the friction. Lean into what you think is hard. That's where the biggest opportunities are going to come from," he said. 

Reflecting on his career, Hall is thankful for his time in Cincinnati. He met his wife while he was in school, and the experiences he had through student organizations and leadership roles were invaluable. He has returned to campus for the Founders and Funders event at the 1819 Innovation Hub, guest lectures, and more. 

Featured image at top: Chuck Hall returned to campus to accept the 2025 Engineering Technology Award of Distinction. Photo/Kevin Watkins