USAG Stuttgart Housing Division Chief digs into new role with enthusiasm

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is excited to welcome Charmoneaux "Charm" Sutton as the new Housing Division Chief, responsible for the quality and administration of one of the command's most essential services.

Originally from California, Sutton lived and worked in both Bavaria and Rhineland-Pfalz before. While the Golden State is home, Germany still holds a special place in her heart, she said.

Bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from the private and public sector including time overseas and at Installation Management Command headquarters in San Antonio, Sutton was happy to share her ambitions for the new role, as well as what excites her about the assignment.

Welcome to U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, what made you decide to take work here?

The location absolutely helped! Professionally, the opportunity to lead the Housing Division at USAG Stuttgart was an exciting next step in my career. Having worked at both the installation and headquarters levels, I was eager to bring those experiences together in a leadership role where I could directly influence housing operations and the quality of life of the community we serve.

My previous assignment at HQ IMCOM gave me a broader perspective on Army housing policy, financial management, and the challenges installations face. Coming to Stuttgart presented an opportunity to put that knowledge into practice while supporting a strong team and making meaningful improvements.

On a personal level, I love Germany. The culture, history, architecture, and accessibility to the rest of Europe are incredible. I'm also a huge art enthusiast, so being a short flight or train ride away from some of the world's most extraordinary museums certainly sweetened the deal.

Stuttgart definitely offered the ideal combination of professional growth and personal fulfillment.

You Have a wealth of experience in this field, how did you get your start and what led you here?

My career in housing began in the private sector, where I spent over a decade working in residential property management. That experience gave me a strong foundation in property operations, customer service, financial management, and, perhaps most importantly, understanding that housing is fundamentally about people.

I transitioned into federal service and Army housing, then completed the Army's competitive ACTEDS CP-27 Housing Management Program at Fort Irwin. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to serve at several installations, including USAG Bavaria, Fort Sill, and USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, before moving to Headquarters IMCOM.

At headquarters, I supported the Army's privatized housing portfolio, encompassing 16 installations and approximately 18,000 homes. That experience expanded my understanding of the policy, finance, and strategic decisions that shape housing programs across the Army.

I've been fortunate to experience this profession from several perspectives, from day-to-day property operations to installation leadership and enterprise-level program management. Each role has reinforced my belief that effective housing programs require both sound business practices and a genuine commitment to the people we serve.

What are your goals as the Housing Division Chief?

My overarching goal is to build a housing program that our community trusts and a team that takes pride in the services we deliver. We may not always be able to provide the answer someone hopes to hear, but we should always be able to provide an accurate answer, explain the process, and treat people with dignity and respect.

Housing is one of the most personal services we provide. We're not simply assigning quarters or processing paperwork; we're helping Soldiers, civilians, and families establish their homes, often while navigating the challenges inherent to overseas relocations. I want that understanding to be reflected in every interaction our customers have with our office.

What common misconceptions about the housing process would be helpful for people to understand?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the Housing Office has complete discretion over housing assignments and can simply make exceptions, move someone to the top of a waiting list or allow every family to reside off-post.

The reality is that Army housing is governed by established policies, eligibility requirements, assignment priorities, and available inventory. Our responsibility is to administer those requirements fairly and consistently while helping families understand their options while being good stewards of government resources - i.e. our taxpaying dollars.

As you know, Housing Office does not control every aspect of the housing experience. While we play a central role in coordinating housing services, many issues require collaboration with other organizations, including the Directorate of Public Works, maintenance personnel, and private landlords.

Another understandable misconception is when people think that if they haven't heard from us, nothing is happening. Housing involves quite a bit of coordination behind the scenes, particularly when we're managing competing requirements and limited inventory. That said, I believe it's a Housing responsibility to communicate effectively so our customers aren't left wondering where things stand.

I encourage our community to ask questions, communicate their concerns, and engage with us early and consistently in their housing journey. We're here to help people navigate the process, not simply enforce it.

And while I can't promise everyone their dream home, I can promise that my goal is to ensure everyone receives fair treatment, accurate information, and a team that is genuinely committed to helping them.

Now that we know about your credentials and ambitions for the housing office, what would you like people to know about you as a person?

First and foremost, I'm a mom of three. I have a daughter in college and two sons, one in high school and the other in middle school. Between motherhood and my career, life stays pretty busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Outside of work, I absolutely love art. … I'm the person who plans an entire vacation around visiting a museum I've never explored. In fact, I'm currently working my way through a rather ambitious bucket list: visiting all five of the original Guggenheim museum locations around the world.

Professionally, I'm proud of the career I've built and the opportunities I've had to serve military communities in the United States and Germany. I've learned a lot, met phenomenal professionals and have positively impacted people along the way. That stated, I am still learning. Still growing and I can't wait to see what this adventure-USAG Stuttgart-has in store.