Charlie McKee competed at two Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the 470 class in 1988, alongside John Shadden. He was also 49er World Champion in 2001, and added another bronze in 49er in 2000, sailing with his brother Jonathan McKee. Charlie McKee also coached the USA windsurfing team at the 1992 Olympics, helping lead Michael Gebhardt to a silver medal. McKee medaled at the World Youth Championships in Laser Class. He was also involved in two America’s Cup campaigns.
McKee graduated from the University of Washington in 1986. He worked for several years as a commercial real estate appraiser. After the 2012 Olympics, in which the US did not win a single sailing medal, McKee was appointed director of high performance sailing by US Sailing. His charge was to manage all aspects of USA competitive sailing, including coaching, technical development, and youth development.
United States