Charles L. Goodwin

Jaimie Kim photo

Seven years ago, Honolulu FBI special agent in charge Charles L. Goodwin was forced into retirement — a mandatory requirement for agents at age 57.

But looking at him now, it’s impossible to imagine how he could be even older than that.

“I’ll be 64 this year, but you know, I’m in as good shape as people who are 57 years old,” he says with a laugh.

Goodwin’s career with the FBI spanned more than 25 years and had him working in offices across the nation.

In 2003, trying to decide between moving to San Antonio or Honolulu, Goodwin and wife Diane made the “easy” decision to move to the Islands. Here, he led the FBI office and was responsible for the Hawaiian Islands, and all trust territories and U.S. interests in the Pacific.

“I miss it — all of it,” he says, noting that he especially misses seeing and interacting regularly with those in other law enforcement and government agencies with whom he worked closely.

Retirement, however, has not meant a slower pace of life. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite.

Goodwin, who likes to keep in shape, works as a security consultant for the PGA Tour. Along with six other consultants, all former FBI agents, Goodwin acts as a liaison between the tour and its tournaments, as well as the police, paid security, volunteers and other individuals involved. At every event, at least one security consultant is present, overseeing security and risk management for the tour.

“It’s not FBI work,” he says, laughing. “It’s challenging, but in a different sense.

“I’ve made a lot of new friends in the police officers who work with us on the tour. There are some great organizations and some really great people out there.”

It certainly isn’t a bad gig for Goodwin, who enjoys playing golf in his spare time. While he has had the opportunity to meet nearly every golfer, none of it has fazed Goodwin.

“I’m not at all what you call ‘starstruck’ or taken with these guys,” he says. “They put their pants on like you do every day — they just happen to be much better golfers.”

In addition to the PGA Tour, he is involved with the U.S. Marine Corps, working to develop a museum. He also sits on the board of directors for Pacific Aviation Museum, which is of particular interest to Goodwin, who is a pilot.

“I doubt that I’ll ever ‘retire’ retire,” he says. “I’m just not wired that way. I’ve got to have something to do.”