Charles Sharma has spent nearly his entire life in the Lafayette Parish/Broussard area. Born in Fiji, he moved to the United States with his parents in 1981 at the age of four, along with his younger brother, Neil, who was just eight months old.
Sharma began his education at Katherine Drexel Elementary, where, decades later, his five-year-old daughter now attends the same classroom he once did—one of the many special moments of raising a family in his hometown. He went on to attend Broussard Middle School and graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic High School in 1994. At the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL), he initially pursued engineering before earning a degree in General Studies with concentrations in English and History and a minor in Mathematics.
Since 2000, Sharma has built a career in the oil and gas industry, starting in field operations and working his way into management. Beyond his professional life, he has remained deeply engaged in community service. Charles served as the HOA president for his neighborhood from 2013 to 2021. From 2019 to 2022, he served on the Broussard Planning and Zoning Committee but stepped down to run for Broussard City Council District 2. Though his campaign fell short by just 12 votes against a six-term incumbent, he remains committed to public service and plans to run again in 2026.
In 2023, recognizing Broussard’s lack of a Mardi Gras Krewe, Sharma founded Krewe de Acadian to bring a new tradition to the city. The Krewe’s inaugural ball at the Cajundome Convention Center was a major success, doubling in size by 2025. Unlike traditional Krewes, Krewe de Acadian focuses on its members and attendees rather than royalty, embodying its motto: “For Friends, By Friends.” The Krewe also promotes local businesses and organizes two major annual community events:
- The Broussard Health Fair (November), a free public event featuring healthcare vendors and participation from the Broussard Police and Fire Departments.
- The BYOB (Bringing You Our Best) Hamburger & Hotdog Festival (April 13, 2025, at Youngsville Sports Complex Amphitheatre), a cook-off benefiting local first responders. The event, a partnership with Krewe La Vie Doux of Youngsville, represents another break from tradition as two Krewes unite for a community cause.
Sharma comes from a family of hardworking professionals. His father, after 26 years with Halliburton, launched his own oilfield consulting business and continues working at 71. His mother dedicated two decades to the Human Resources Department at Sears. His younger brother, Neil, earned a law degree from Loyola University New Orleans and now serves as an attorney for the U.S. federal government.
In his younger years, Sharma enjoyed basketball and building show trucks. Today, he finds fulfillment in community service and spending time with his fiancée, Ana Wilkinson, a cosmetologist and graduate of Teurlings Catholic High, and their three daughters.
