Charlie's Bio
Charlie Hannema joined Cornerstone in June 2022, bringing his 15 years of media and strategic communications experience to the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications team and expanding the firm’s public affairs presence in Oklahoma. A seasoned communications strategist, Charlie’s expertise spans crisis communications, media relations, corporate messaging and community engagement.At Cornerstone, he works with clients across the country on energy, agriculture, education, college athletics, public safety, economic development and financial policy issues. He is also the public spokesman for the Tulsa Leadership Council, a group of Tulsa’s leading businesses and philanthropic organizations.
Before joining Cornerstone, Charlie served more than two years as chief of communications for Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK). He was the governor’s primary spokesperson and messaging strategist throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, managed state agency communications teams, and wrote the 2021 and 2022 State of the State addresses.
A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Charlie started his career with 10 years as a local television anchor, including stops at KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma; KFSM in Fayetteville, Arkansas; KOLR in Springfield, Missouri; and KOLN in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In addition to his public affairs work, Charlie leverages his journalism background to provide media training for corporate executives and subject matter experts to prepare them for high-profile interviews with outlets including TIME, Fox News, CNN and The Washington Post.
He continues to serve his state as an appointed member of the Oklahoma Legislative Compensation Board, the Oklahoma Statewide Official Compensation Commission, and the Oklahoma Golf Trail Commission.
