Charles (Charlie) Read is an energy and public utilities attorney with extensive experience advising natural gas, pipeline, electric, and telecommunications companies. Over the course of his legal career, he represented public utilities and their holding companies before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), other state regulatory agencies, and in state and federal courts. He has also advised investors, lenders, suppliers, and large customers across the energy and telecommunications sectors.

Charlie’s lifelong interest in classical music began while he was a student at Harvard University, where he hosted programs on WHRB-FM. He later served on the boards of the Music Center Operating Company and the Colburn School. In Santa Barbara, he is active in the cultural and civic community and enjoys wine collecting as a member of the Chevaliers du Tastevin.

Now enjoying semi-retirement from corporate law practice, Charlie has lived and worked in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. He now lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Eileen Read, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal.