Corpus Christi-based Charter Bank has appointed local business leader and former president of the Snappy Foods convenience store chain Mohammad “Moe” Motaghi to its board of directors.

Motaghi immigrated to Corpus Christi from Iran in 1977. While in high school, he worked at Whataburger to support himself and his family back home. He eventually worked his way up the ladder to regional director of operations at Whataburger, responsible for 18 stores, including several of the highest-grossing stores in Texas. While still working for Whataburger, Motaghi purchased his first convenience store. For the next 18 years, he built up his portfolio of Snappy Foods convenience stores to 27 in the Coastal Bend region and had the largest privately owned chain of convenience stores in South Texas. Since the sale of his convenience stores in 2019, Motaghi has stayed busy with his other business ventures, which include construction, real estate and business development.

Established in 1962, Charter Bank operates three banking offices in Corpus Christi and one in Rockport.