Ms. Charlotte McGhee Meckel is currently serving her third term as Tribal Council Secretary. Born and raised in the Poarch community, she has dedicated her life to service, both through her 36-year career in the federal government and her leadership within the Tribe. Her career took her across the United States and overseas, where she spent over 26 years in Germany holding high-profile positions. In 2012, she returned home and continued her commitment to the Tribe, serving on multiple boards before being elected to the Tribal Council in 2016. In her role as Tribal Council Secretary, she conducts polling for time-sensitive resolutions, certifies resolutions after each meeting, reviews minutes for accuracy, and prepares workshop notes for submission to the Roundhouse. She also serves as Chair of the Records Committee and as an officer on the Executive Committee.
Ms. Meckel is passionate about advocating for senior citizens and ensuring they receive the support they need, including assistance with Medicare premiums. She was honored to be appointed as an alternate Board Member for the Eastern Region at the National Americans Conference on Aging, furthering her efforts to provide elders with vital resources. She is actively involved in committees focused on Tribal Member Services, Health & Elder Services, Land and Natural Resources, and the Funeral Committee. Ms. Meckel remains committed to expanding healthcare access, strengthening economic opportunities, and preserving Poarch Creek heritage for future generations.
For more information contact: Teresa Franklin, Administrative Assistant at (251) 368-9136 ext. 2202
Charlotte Meckel was born and raised in the Poarch community, with fond memories of attending the three-room schoolhouse on the Pow Wow grounds. At 16, she transferred to St. Mary’s, an all-girls school in South Dakota, where she graduated in 1967. She continued her education at Jefferson Davis Community College (now Coastal College) before beginning a 36-year civil service career with the federal government. Her husband’s military career took them across the country, eventually leading them to Anchorage, Alaska, where she continued her professional growth at Elmendorf Air Force Base.
In 1984, the same year the Tribe received federal recognition, Charlotte and her family moved to Germany, where she spent 26 years in various leadership positions. She was one of the first members selected to serve on the Ethics Board and remained deeply connected to her Tribal roots, returning to the U.S. frequently for training and Tribal Council meetings. After retiring in 2012, she returned home to Poarch and continued her service through various boards and committees before being elected as Tribal Council Secretary in 2016.
Charlotte has proudly served as Tribal Council Secretary for nine years, where she is responsible for polling the Tribal Council on resolutions, certifying minutes, preparing workshop notes for the Roundhouse, and overseeing the Tribe’s official records as Chair of the Records Committee. She also serves as an officer on the Executive Committee.
Her dedication to Tribal Citizens is reflected in her committee involvement:
Charlotte is a strong advocate for senior citizens, working to increase Medicare premium assistance. She was honored to be appointed as an alternate Board Member for the Eastern Region at the National Americans Conference on Aging, ensuring elders receive up-to-date information on resources that enhance their quality of life.
During her 36-year civil service career, Charlotte held key leadership roles, including:
She graduated from the Army Management Staff College in Washington, D.C., earning credits in:
Her extensive background in government operations, leadership, and program development continues to shape her role in Tribal governance today.
Charlotte’s commitment extends beyond her official duties. She has played an active role in:
She was recently recognized as a Top 50 Over 50 Honoree by Positive Maturity, highlighting her impact on the Poarch community and beyond. Last year, she joined Tribal Princesses in Aruba for a cultural exchange, reinforcing the importance of preserving and sharing Poarch Creek heritage.
Charlotte and her husband, Martin, have two children, Ron Salter and Allison Salter-Rodriguez, along with eight grandchildren: Kyle, Kaylee, Brenton, David, Caleb, Ariel, Harmony, and the late Andrew Salter—all proud Poarch Creek Indians.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing cards, working on crossword puzzles, traveling, and assisting with community events and fundraisers. Inspired by her mother, Ernestine Daughtry, who served on the Tribal Council for 17 years, Charlotte remains dedicated to serving Tribal Citizens with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to progress.
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