Charles Nordlander is Vice President of Development and Programming for HISTORY™, a position he assumed in August 2007. In this role, Nordlander has served as HISTORY executive producer for series such as BATTLE 360, EVOLVE and SANDHOGS, which have pushed the visual, narrative and dramatic boundaries that define how stories for HISTORY are told. In this regard, EXPEDITION AFRICA represents HISTORY’s most ambitious series to date. Nordlander also oversees a team of programmers responsible for the development and creation of original series and specials for the network. Additionally, he is charged with creating and implementing innovative programming strategies that expand the brand across multiple platforms including history.com. Prior to joining HISTORY, Nordlander served from 2005 to 2007 as Vice President, Program Development for the Food Network, where he had the distinction of being the channel’s first-ever head of development. While there, he was charged with reinventing the primetime schedule through the creation of new entertainment-based food programs designed to appeal to a broader, “non-foodie” audience. During his tenure, he developed and launched a slate of original primetime series, including Ace of Cakes, which have consistently ranked among that network’s top-rated shows. He is also credited with creating innovative formats for food programming that included docusoaps, as well as reality and character-driven travel shows, and introducing compelling new creative talent to the network that helped lower the network’s median age. Previously, he was the Director of Lifestyle Programming for A&E Network®, from 2004 to 2005. During his tenure, he was responsible for redeveloping and expanding the network’s block of lifestyle programming. His successes included co-creating and developing the innovative series, Flip This House, which brought a character-driven docuseries format to the lifestyle genre. Flip broke out to become a primetime hit for A&E. Nordlander also created a cross-promotional relationship with Microsoft’s Windowsmedia.com that generated wide exposure for the network’s lifestyle programming. Prior to that, Nordlander was the co-founder and partner in Glow in the Dark Productions, Inc., a New York-based production company that created and produced original programming for numerous networks including Sci-Fi, HBO Family, HISTORY, TV Land and Food Network. Earlier in his career, Nordlander was the head writer and producer for the PBS series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?