Charlie was born and raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He attended New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University, graduating with degrees in Management and Marketing. Graduate studies include graduation from the Institute for Organization Management (IOM Certification) in conjunction with the United States Chamber of Commerce and Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. In 1991, McIlvain received his "CTP” Certified Tour Professional designation from the National Tour Association; and, in 2015 received his “TDM”, Texas Destination Marketing certification from the Texas Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus.

McIlvain established the Las Cruces, New Mexico Convention & Visitors Bureau as his university project his senior year at New Mexico State University. After graduation, he was employed by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce as Vice President of Marketing. In 1977, he returned to Las Cruces as Executive Vice President of the Greater Las Cruces Area Chamber of Commerce. Between 1979 and 1987, he was Director of Marketing in Farmers Branch, Texas, responsible for tourism and economic development programs in that north Dallas suburb. He served as Director of Tourism for the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau between 1987 and 1992. In 1989, Charlie and his wife, Ronda, established Idle Time Tours, Inc., a full-service tour operation, and Texas Destinations Inc., a tourism trade industry representation organization. In August 1992, he left the public sector to go full-time with his companies. The McIlvains established Tour Data Inc., a motorcoach industry economic impact and research company in 1995. Charlie retuned to the public sector as Executive Director of the Granbury, Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau August 2005, responsible for overseeing construction of and managing the Granbury Resort Conference Center, the Trolley System, and the Historic Opera House Theater. McIlvain became President/CEO of the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau in September 2012. He retired in January 2021, ending a 47-year career in the hospitality industry.

McIlvain’s professional activities and honors include, recognition by the 87th Texas Legislature in March 2021 for career achievements in the Hospitality Industry and recipient of The Gene Phillips Hospitality Award – the top award in the Texas Travel Industry in April 2010. Charlie enjoys collecting, restoring, and driving antique and classic cars.