Charles Clapp rowed at the University of Washington, graduating in 1981. In addition to his 1984 silver medal in the eights, Clapp won a bronze medal in the eights at the 1981 World Championships. He later earned an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management, and became a certified financial planner. Clapp was a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, and served on several corporate boards in the financial field. He worked for Drexel Burnham Lambert, then Eagle Investment Associates, and later founded Howland Capital, where he focused on portfolio management and estate planning.