This original version of this story first appeared in Volume 1, Issue 2 of the Owensboro Times quarterly newspaper.
Growing up as the 12th of 13 children on a 70-acre farm in Stanley, Charlie Castlen was just another kid chasing chickens and shoveling corn. The son of a 7th-grade-educated World War II veteran and a mother who championed education at every turn, Castlen never imagined one day he’d be called the CEO of Daviess County.
But today, that’s exactly what he is. As Daviess County’s Judge/Executive, Castlen holds a dual title that bridges public leadership with executive responsibility. It’s a role he takes seriously, guided by decades of experience, a deep sense of community, and the values learned under the humble roof of a farmhouse packed with siblings.
Life on the farm, higher education, and the start of a career
“Those were good days,” Castlen said, reflecting on his childhood on the family farm. “We had cattle, chickens, a couple horses … raised corn and hay.”
Among the Castlen siblings — six boys and seven girls born within a 15-year span — Charlie stood out for one particular chore.
“I took care of the chickens. That’s how I got the nickname ‘Charlie Chicken,’” he laughed.
That life — filled with hauling corn cobs, hanging clothes on long lines, and sitting in the shade snapping beans — taught Castlen values that would stick with him for life: hard work, frugality, and the importance of family.
Their home wasn’t just filled with people — it was full of purpose. Laundry days were all-day affairs, bread was stored in the dryer for a reason Castlen can’t quite remember, his mother canned more than 200 quarts of green beans each summer, and everyone pitched in.
“You learn to share a lot when you grow up like that,” he said. “You learn to help others who might need a bit of help.”
Growing up, Castlen knew education was going to be important. He later became the first male in his family to earn a college degree.
“From the time I was little, Mom always said, ‘You’re going to college,’” he recalled. “Even after I was already in school, she would tell me that doctors don’t stop learning just because they get their degree — they go on to specialize.”
While most of his uncles were farmers, one uncle who worked in accounting for Marathon Oil stood out. It planted a seed for Castlen, who chose to study accounting at Brescia College.
“Accounting was the only professional field I really knew, because of him,” Castlen said.
Charlie met his wife Lisa at Brescia. They got married and moved to Frankfort, where Charlie began his career with the State Auditor’s Office and became a certified CPA. Lisa, a teacher, supported the family while he began what would become a lifelong balancing act between public service and private practice.
Though work took the Castlens to Frankfort, he said his heart never left Daviess County.
“I was never one of those guys who said, ‘I can’t wait to get out of this town,’” he said. “I left to get experience, but I always planned to come back.”
Castlen returned in 1991 and slowly built his tax practice on the side while working full-time in banking. Over time, a series of bank mergers nudged him into full-time self-employment.
That independence gave him the flexibility to dive into local politics — and a chance to follow a sense of civic duty that had long been simmering.
A call to serve, and putting public service over politics
Castlen’s first run for office came after a controversial hospital merger in the mid-1990s left him feeling like the public had been misled.
“I just thought it was deceitful,” he said of how things were handled. “So I put my name on the ballot.”
He didn’t win that first time, but the experience sparked a passion. By 1999, Castlen had earned a seat as an Owensboro City Commissioner.
He served five total terms in that role, including four stints as Mayor Pro Tem. Later, he served three terms on Fiscal Court as a Daviess County Commissioner before being elected Judge/Executive in 2022.
Yet for all the campaign cycles, Castlen never built massive war chests or hired political teams.
“I’ve never bought a race,” he said. “Even that first time I ran and lost, I remember being encouraged because I won my home precinct. Going door to door and talking to people — that connection matters.”
Castlen is clear: this isn’t about political ambition. It’s about helping people.
“I truly see holding elected office as public service,” he said. “You’re a servant first. And it’s incredibly fulfilling to help people work through things they feel stuck on.”
Whether it’s fielding a call from a frustrated resident or guiding someone through a bureaucratic process, Castlen says the satisfaction of helping outweighs the difficulty of disappointing those you can’t help.
“It’s heartbreaking sometimes when you can’t fix something because the law says you can’t,” he said. “But I always try to explain that. Just because I can’t change it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Running on principle, governing with grit
Castlen’s political career has been shaped by firm convictions and a steady moral compass. Whether he’s voting on a budget or evaluating a zoning request, he said his priority is always doing the right thing — not just what’s popular.
Sometimes, that means casting votes others disagree with — like when he opposed making a temporary tax permanent during his time on the City Commission. Other times, it means sticking to fiscal discipline even when pressure mounts to spend.
He brings that same mindset to his current role as Judge/Executive, where the responsibilities go far beyond ceremonial duties. It’s a job that combines leadership and oversight — legislative chair and administrative chief all in one.
“If you look at my business card, it says Judge ‘slash’ Executive,” he explained. “It’s a dual role. I chair the legislative body, but I’m also the CEO of the county.”
That duality means sometimes making executive decisions on his own, and other times working in partnership with the commissioners on Fiscal Court. Castlen is adamant about transparency and fairness in both arenas.
“I vote every time,” he said. “Some Judge/Executives don’t unless there’s a tie, but I believe if you’re on the legislative body, you should vote.”
And while public office has its challenges, he said he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. He still sees it as an honor to answer the phone when a frustrated resident calls, or to advocate for a project that could improve quality of life.
“To me, it’s like serving as someone’s accountant,” he said. “People came to me terrified with a letter from the IRS, and I helped calm them down and fix the issue. Being in office is kind of the same — you’re just helping people work through problems.”
He also knows that decisions won’t always be popular. But if his long career in local government has taught him anything, it’s that consistency and integrity matter.
“If you try to do the right thing,” he said, “you’re going to be okay. People may not always agree with you, but they’ll respect you.”
Remembering his roots
Despite his current title and authority, Castlen hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings.
He still talks fondly about the dust of the chicken coop, the long rows of frozen laundry, and the crowded dinner table. He still remembers his mother’s long Saturdays and how much she sacrificed to push her children toward better futures.
Now in his 60s, Castlen said he’s not sure how many more elections he’ll run in. But as long as he holds office, he intends to keep pushing for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in county government.
He’s proud of the community he grew up in, proud of the people he serves, and proud of the path that took a kid known as “Charlie Chicken” and made him the executive leader of Daviess County.
“Sometimes I look back and think, how did I get here?” he said. “But the truth is, every piece of it — the farm, the family, the setbacks, the small wins — they all mattered. I’m grateful for all of it.”
