My dad’s palpable devotion to Christ is an integral part of my own faith formation. Throughout my childhood, he taught me one of the most important lessons that I carry with me today: always be curious about your faith, never shy away from asking difficult questions, and most importantly, be persistent in pursuing the answers. My dad lives his faith unapologetically, and true to his own advice, he unceasingly pursues the truth through continued education, prayer, and humble evangelization. I am grateful for the opportunity to share just a small portion of my dad’s admirable faith journey, and even more blessed to have a father that prioritizes the salvation of his family and friends above all else.
Charles Spinelli was born and raised in Staten Island, NY. He now resides in Morristown, NJ with his wife, Maria Spinelli. He’s a father to three girls, Linda, Gianna, and Sophia, two wonderful son-in-laws, Dave and Phil, and is grandfather to Linda’s five children! Charles dedicates his life to, among many other impressive feats you will soon learn about, raising his children and grandchildren in the faith and evangelizing through various ministries.
Charles grew up a cradle Catholic. Throughout his childhood he attended Mass on Sunday but devoted no time to his faith outside of that one hour each week. He refers to himself at that time as an “occasional Catholic”, not getting his first taste of deeper theology until he attended Monsignor Farrell High School, an all-boys, Catholic high school in Staten Island. He shares, “Two of my favorite classes, philosophy and theology, were taught by priests. It was then that I started to explore the academic nature of our faith, which led me to pursue my masters and doctorate later on.”
As the Holy Spirit slowly began to weave together the beginning pieces of Charles’ faith journey in the classroom, Charles also dedicated a large portion of his high school career to football. He played as a center on his team and served two years as a Catholic League high school captain and all-star. Spinelli was also featured in New York Daily News for his impressive football career, and in his senior year won the Brother Matthew Sable Most Valued Player Award.
Charles then went on to study at Fordham University in the Bronx. Always knowing that he would eventually study law, but seeing invaluable advantages to obtaining a business degree beforehand, he enrolled in the College of Business Administration at Fordham and earned his B.A. in business. Amidst his studies, he continued his football legacy at Fordham as a four-year starter. If his high school athletic accomplishments were any indicator of how his college career would play out, it should come as no surprise that Charles was a two-time captain for his team, was nominated as an All-American Candidate, and eventually inducted in the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame.
Upon graduating, Charles married Maria Denti Spinelli and started his law studies at Fordham Law School. Working various legal positions during the day and attending classes at night, the couple was practicing a surface level faith, solely attending Mass on most Sundays.
Charles and Maria moved from Staten Island to Chatham in 1999 and he began the early stages of constructing his business after leaving his law firm on Wall Street. In 2005, he formed his first company, the Fairmount Agency. Eleven years later in 2010, the couple reconnected providentially with Steve and Evelyn Auth, whom they met through their parish years before. Charles and Maria were in the process of a major reversion to the Faith after a serious family crisis. Steve and Evelyn, two long-standing, faithful members of Regnum Christi, introduced them to the RC movement and Legionary Priests. To this day, the two couples remain close friends.
“We attended a short marriage renewal retreat that year. We were fascinated by the people, the Legionaries of Christ, the core values, the sense of commonality and shared world-view, and of course, the profound spirituality. We were enthralled by it. That retreat led us to pray and discern the vocation to RC, and we joined shortly thereafter,” he shared.
As Charles and Maria began to more wholly implement faith-filled practices into their lives and the lives of their children, Charles continued to discern God’s will for his vocation. In 2016, Charles formed what is now his current business, E3 HR, Inc.: a PEO company now reaching clients in 47 states. I asked Charles about the inspiration for the company’s motto, “Spirit of Service”.
“Early on in my legal career I realized the value of client service and how important that value is for a business’s success. At that point when we formed E3 in 2016, I was deep into practicing the Faith and I understood the importance of linking that value to a Christian perspective of service to our business and our clients”
“Any success that we have as a company is wholly attributed to our faith and God’s divine providence for us. I always tell interviewees that we are a faith-based company, meaning that we are always going to strive to follow the foundational virtues of the Church.” He adds, “Honesty, integrity, accountability…all of those take precedent over profitability.”
Along with expanding and managing his business, Charles obtained his Masters in Theology from Holy Apostles College, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in Theology, with expected completion in May of 2026.
Additionally he holds a number of positions across various Catholic groups. Along with being a member of Regnum Christi, he’s a member of the Knights of Columbus, and participates on the
Finance Committee of Inspire, a faith-based pregnancy center in Warrenm NJ.
In 2019, motivated by a desire to create a deeper relationship with Christ and business, he became a member of Lumen. Already having a background in Regnum Christi, he knew what Lumen was and wished to both participate and enhance the Lumen experience for himself and others. In 2024, Charles stepped into the role as New York Tri-State Lumen President.
Charles and Maria, along with their dear friends and fellow Regnum Christi members, Jeannine and BJ Agugliaro, formed a marriage ministry in 2021 called Wine & Wisdom for Catholic Couples. Couples are invited to meet monthly in the Spinelli home where they will encounter a night of formation, dinner, and fellowship. They are joined by a Legionary Priest who offers confession throughout the evening, and Consecrated Women. This ministry continues to grow and thrive among a variety of couples from a range of local Catholic parishes.
Most recently, in January of 2025, Charles took a position as a North New Jersey Young Catholic Professional board member. He shared, “I was attracted to the Young Catholic Professional group because of the opportunity to mentor young men and women in business, and in faith.
Charles is a dedicated and awe-inspiring father, mentor, friend, and leader. If asked, Charles would credit all of the aforementioned to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the people, especially his RC family, that the Lord has placed in his life.