Charles “Lee” Hinkleman Sr. served in the United States Army for 22 years, retiring in 1998 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his time in the service, he was a Senior Intelligence Analyst, PSNCO, and an Army Recruiter. Mr. Hinkleman held a variety of roles worldwide, serving as a Sergeant First Class in the 368th Military Police Company, Barrigada, Guam, Human Resource Manager in the 70th Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, and as the 826th Military Intelligence Battalion Senior Intelligence Analyst. He is also highly decorated with numerous awards and commendations, including a Recruiter Ring, Army Commendation Medal (6th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award),Currently, he serves as the Lewis County Commander of the American Legion and as Lowville Post Chaplain. He also leads the Lewis County Military Honor Guard, having performed hundreds of military burials in Lewis County.
Since Mr. Hinkleman retired from active duty, he’s been a presence within the Northern New York Community, advocating for several local causes. He worked as the Liaison to the Oneida Indian Nation Land Claim for the Oneida County Executive and also served as the Director of Public Relations for Otis Technology. Then, he accepted a position as Communications Manager for the Maple Ridge Windfarm to move to Lewis County. He has served in numerous leadership positions in Lewis and Oneida Counties, from President of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce to Vice President of the Lewis County Development Corporation. He recently served as the President of the Lowville Business Association. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Lewis Oneida ARC Foundation (and as treasurer) and is Co-Chair of the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival.
In 2025, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recognized Mr. Hinkleman’s induction into the NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame for his 14 years of dedication and service as the Commander of the American Legion Post 162 in Lowville and as American Legion National Legislative Vice Chair/ State Legislative Chairman (roles he still currently serves in). Senator Mark Walsyzk sponsored his induction into the Hall of Fame and is a leading advocate of Mr. Hinkleman’s endeavors.
He attended the University of Maryland (Worms, Germany), Vincennes University, and the University of Michigan (Dearborn Campus).
Mr. Hinkleman has a Facebook food blog, “Eating in Upstate New York and Beyond,” with millions of page views and over 25,000 followers. He also has over 17 million hits on Google Maps and previously wrote restaurant articles for the former magazine NNY Living.
He and his wife, Cathy, have three children and nine grandchildren.
