Charles Yi

Charles Yi began his career in real estate development in 1989 and, over the last 32 years, has expanded his business portfolio to include international joint ventures with major companies and prominent individual investors. His interests include partnerships in clean energy solutions, large-scale housing and commercial developments, and private equity. As a developer, he has amassed over $2.5 billion in real estate development and investments in commercial, hospitality, industrial, residential, and mixed-use sectors. He continues to expand his portfolio as a developer and as an influential capital partner.

Charles is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Christian Alliance. He also serves as the Executive Director of RElaunch Church Building & Land, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization through which he operates his global philanthropic projects. In 2004, he was invited to the Pentagon by the US Department of Defense Afghanistan Reconstruction Group (ARG) to assist with their reconstruction efforts which included an on the ground tour of Afghani infrastructure. He has coordinated the funding and operation of orphanages, women’s centers, and clinics in Mazer-e-Sharif, Kandahar, Afghanistan, and many other nations. His passion is to create humanitarian efforts that bring the private and public sectors together globally to improve conditions for those who suffer.

Mel McGowan

Chief Creative Officer

Mel McGowan (AICP, DBIA, LEED AP) is the leading master planner and designer of Christ-centered communities in America, having served hundreds of ministries as the original “Architectural Evangelist” and Visioneer. He was a founder of PlainJoe and Storyland Studios and now serves as Chief Creative Officer. 

Mel combined his background in film and design during a decade-long stint at the Walt Disney Company. Post-Disney, his client roster has included some of the top storytellers in the world, from George Lucas to pastors such as Rick Warren to Max Lucado.  Mel has led teams that have won multiple Solomon Awards for “Best Church Architect” and “Best Builder” and is the author of Design Intervention. He is a contributing editor to Outreach Magazine, was named one of the top 25 influencers by OC Metro Magazine, and is an Adjunct Professor at CBU’s College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design. 

At PlainJoe, Mel creatively leads the unique multi-disciplinary Spatial Storytelling℠ studio, which integrates the multiple disciplines of master planning, architecture, interior design, show set design, environmental graphics, and themed attraction design in creating compelling experiences and environments around the world.