COLUMBUS, Ohio – Major Charles J. Linek III, a Bowling Green State University graduate, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Col. Charles A. Jones, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent, made the announcement on Sept. 11.

Linek was recognized during a ceremony at the patrol’s training academy. Linek recently transferred from his previous assignment as commander of the Office of Personnel to serve in the Office of the Superintendent.

Linek began his patrol career in February 1994 as a member of the 126th Academy Class. He earned his commission in July of that year and was assigned to the Granville post. As a trooper, he also served in the Office of Personnel. While serving in the Office of Personnel, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1999, lieutenant in 2004, staff lieutenant in 2009 and captain in 2014. As a captain, he also served in the Office of Planning, Research and Development. In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of major and transferred to the Office of Personnel to serve as commander.

Linek served in the Ohio National Guard from 1986-92.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from BGSU in 1991. He completed advanced leadership training at Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2006.