Charles Van Vechten
Managing Director
Buchanan Design – SAN DIEGO
A creative industry executive with over 25 years of experience in brand, design, and marketing. Relationship builder with start-up clients to Fortune500 corporations. Strategic, creative, and entrepreneurial thinker with the ability to pinpoint problems and set a course for the best solutions. Award-winning creative director with the ability to sell ideas, inspire creativity, and deliver sound strategy that brings results. Business minded leader who understands all aspects of operations and builds processes that bring efficiency. A lead by example manager who motivates the team, provides vision, and builds a nurturing culture to foster growth. Proven in building and growing a successful organization, creating award-winning solutions, building a valued team, increasing revenue, finding new business opportunities, and adapting to changing environments.
A native San Diegan, Charlie earned a BA from the University of San Diego and earned a post-graduate degree in graphic design and advertising from The Advertising Arts College. After gathering experience at several large San Diego-based advertising and public relations firms, Charlie channeled his energies into building his own business and opened Van Vechten Creative in 1992.
Charlie is active in the San Diego business and arts communities. He serves on several non-profit boards and is also involved in many local community organizations. His commitment to making a difference in our community has not gone unnoticed. Charlie is a two-time recipient of the San Diego Performing Arts League’s “Star Award” for his dedication to advancing the arts in San Diego. He is a recipient of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine “40 under Forty” award for young business leaders who have made a positive impact on their work. Charlie is frequently called on as an industry expert to judge national marketing and design competitions, and to speak at conferences on themes of branding, the creative industry, and entrepreneurship.
