Charles David Zaleski

CAPTAIN CHARLES DAVID ZALESKI
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Charles David Zaleski grew up in his father’s home accustomed to West Virginia military life. Driven by a long-held desire to serve his country, he earned a Congressional appointment to the newly formed United States Air Force Academy.

Upon joining the historic inaugural Class of 1959, he was assigned to Cadet Squadron 09. Tall, slim, and dashing, "Ski" quickly established himself as both a natural leader and a versatile athlete. He served on the Class Committee and demonstrated exceptional leadership in athletics, serving as team captain for both the Academy's football and wrestling teams.

FOOTBALL

• Position: Right Guard (RG) / Offensive Line (OL)
• Jersey Number: #64
• Height: 6' 0"
• Early Team Captaincy: Zaleski served as a team co-captain during the Air Force Falcons' early seasons under head coach Buck Shaw:
o 1956 Season: Co-captain alongside Larry Thomson for the team's second-ever season, finishing with a 6–2–1 record.
o 1957 Season: Co-captain alongside future All-American Brock Strom.
• Pioneer Era: As a member of the USAFA Class of 1959, he played during the program's initial independent years prior to the construction and opening of Falcon Stadium.
• 1958 Undefeated Regular Season: He anchored the offensive line as a senior guard on the iconic 1958 squad.


MILITARY & PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Following graduation and commissioning in 1959, Capt. Zaleski embarked on an advanced academic path, completing post-graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1961.

Equipped with high-level aerospace engineering expertise, he was assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, serving as a Flight Test Engineer from 1961 through 1965. After completing a decade of military service, he transitioned into the defense aerospace industry.

• Hughes Aircraft Company: Served as a Senior Project Engineer in El Segundo, California, from 1965 to 1969.

• LuLejian & Associates: Worked as a Senior Systems Analyst in Redondo Beach, California, from 1969 to 1970.

• Financial Services & Entrepreneurship: Settling in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, he later founded Zaleski Insurance Services, Inc., operating as President, Financial Planner, and Investment Broker affiliated with MML Investors Services.

Throughout his career in Southern California, Charles remained an active member of the business and local community in Rancho Palos Verdes. Beyond his engineering and financial planning endeavors, he stayed connected with his fellow pioneers of the USAFA Class of 1959.

EDUCATION

B.S., United States Air Force Academy (1959)

M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1961)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1961: Post-Graduate Student, MIT (Cambridge, MA)

1961–1965: Flight Test Engineer, AF Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA

1965–1969: Senior Project Engineer, Hughes Aircraft Co. (El Segundo, CA)

1969–1970: Senior Systems Analyst, LuLejian & Assoc. (Redondo Beach, CA)

2001–Present: President / Financial Planner & Broker, Zaleski Insurance Services, Inc. / MML Investors Services (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)