Charles Lee Hinkleman Sr.

Charles Lee Hinkleman Sr. served in the United States Army. He retired after 22 years with the rank of Sergeant First Class, E-7.

He was a Senior Intelligence Analyst, PSNCO, and an Army Recruiter. He served in Germany, Guam, and various stateside assignments. Mr. Hinkleman held a variety of roles, including 331st General Hospital Personnel Staff Supervisor, Administrative Supervisor in the 368th Military Police Company, Barrigada, Guam, Human Resource Manager in the 70th Division in Fort Benning, Georgia, and as the 826th Military Intelligence Battalion Senior Intelligence Analyst.

Mr. Hinkleman is a highly decorated veteran who earned numerous awards and commendations, including a Recruiter Ring, Army Commendation Medal (6th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Non-commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Military Volunteer Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with rifle bar, U.S. Army Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 sapphire achievement stars, U.S. Army Basic Recruiter Badge with 1 gold achievement star, and an Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award).

Upon leaving the military, he worked as the Liaison to the Oneida Indian Nation Land Claim for the Oneida County Executive. Then he accepted a position as Communications Manager for the Maple Ridge Windfarm and moved to Lewis County. Following that, he worked as Director of Public Relations for Otis Technology. 

He has served in numerous leadership positions in Lewis and Oneida counties, from President of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce to Vice President of the Lewis County Development  Corporation. Mr. Hinkleman is currently the President of the Lowville Business Association. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of the ARC Foundation (and as treasurer) and is Co-Chair of the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival.

He has a Facebook food blog, “Eating in Upstate New York and Beyond,” which has over twenty thousand followers. He also writes restaurant articles for the NNY Living magazine.

Mr. Hinkleman is the Legislative Chairman for the American Legion Department of New York and Vice Legislative Chairman at the national level. He currently serves as Commander of Post 162 in Lowville and Lewis County Commander.

He and his wife, Cathy, have three children and nine grandchildren.