| Charles J. Colgan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia Senate from the 29th district |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 1976 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1926 Frostburg, Maryland |
| Political party | Moderate Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Agnes Footen (deceased 2001), Alicia Bernal |
| Children | 8 |
| Profession | Founder, Colgan Air |
| Committees | Finance (chair); Commerce and Labor; General Laws and Technology; Rules |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.colganforsenate.com |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1945-1950 |
| Rank | Sargent |
Contents |
Orphaned at the age of 5, Charles J. Colgan was raised by his grandparents on a farm in Garrett County, Maryland.[1]
Upon his graduation from high school Colgan enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was called to active duty in February 1945. After graduation from basic training Colgan was stationed in Italy as part of a maintenance flight crew on a C-47.
After completing his military service Colgan returned to Maryland where he met and married his wife Agnes. In 1948, Colgan and his wife moved to Washington, D.C. He trained as an airplane mechanic working for Capital Airlines and then obtained his commercial pilots license.
After flying as a corporate pilot, Colgan moved to Manassas, Virginia in 1964 and formed Colgan Airways operating as a flight school and fixed base operation. In 1968, Colgan expanded his business to include a regional airline which he sold to Presidential Airways in 1986. After the bankruptcy of Presidential, around 1991, Senator Colgan and his son Mike re-started air service under the new name Colgan Air with one aircraft. Colgan and his family sold the airline in 2007 to Pinnacle Airlines.[2] At the time of the sale, Colgan Air had grown from a few employees and one aircraft to 1,100 employees, 50 aircraft, and 350 flights daily to 53 cities in the North East and Texas.[3]
Charles and his wife Agnes (deceased 2001) have eight children, twenty-four grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and counting. Colgan's descendants are well known throughout the community and operate several small businesses including, Capital Aviation, Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Partners, Yorkshire Supply, Stage Door Dance Studio, and Colgan Real Estate.
Colgan’s public service began in 1972 when he was elected to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, where he served as Chairman for one year. In 1976, Colgan was elected to the Virginia State Senate representing Prince William County, and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Colgan is the only Senator from Prince William County to ever serve as the powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.[10] As a result of his senority, from 2005 to 2011 Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park have received more transportation funds than any other juristiction in the commonwealth.
As a moderate Democrat, Colgan is well known for working on both sides of the aisle. His bipartisan leadership is well known and respected throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, one of his greatest friends was a Republican Delegate from Manassas, Harry J. Parrish (Deceased 2006).
General:
Transportation:
Education:
Veterans: