Their journey has taken them from classrooms and military intelligence offices to the Pentagon, the White House, and statehouses across America. Along the way, they have championed education, literacy, public service, and community leadership while building a life together centered on making a difference.

Today, their story continues in Bermuda Run, where their impact is still being felt across generations.

Karl Haigler's story begins in Winston-Salem, where he spent his early years before moving to Fayetteville during his senior year of high school. He returned to the Piedmont to attend Wake Forest University, where he joined ROTC and began what would become a lifelong connection to both education and military service.

After graduation, Karl spent ten years teaching history at Forsyth Country Day School, where his passion for the past came alive in unforgettable ways. In 1976, during the nation's bicentennial celebration, he and his students undertook an extraordinary project: building a log cabin on school grounds. Nearly five decades later, the structure still stands—a testament to hands-on learning and Karl's belief that history should be experienced, not just studied.

A devoted admirer of Abraham Lincoln, Karl brought the same sense of leadership and moral clarity into his parallel career in the U.S. Army Reserves. Serving in military intelligence, he specialized in Soviet Ground Forces during the height of the Cold War. His work took him to the Pentagon and the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he contributed to critical national security efforts while continuing his work in education.

Karl's life took a bold turn when he moved to Washington, D.C., with no job and three children—a leap of faith that reflected both determination and a deep love for the city. It didn't take long for opportunity to find him. He secured a role in the U.S. Department of Education as a speechwriter, where his ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity quickly set him apart.

One day, his career took an unexpected and remarkable turn. During a lunch with Barbara Bush, Karl learned he had been appointed as her literacy advisor while George H.W. Bush served as Vice President. It was a defining moment—one that placed him at the center of national efforts to improve adult literacy.

At one point, Karl was simultaneously working on both education and defense issues, balancing two demanding worlds with characteristic energy. Though he had the opportunity to move to the White House when George H.W. Bush became President, he chose instead to take on a different challenge: working with the governor of Mississippi to address the state's literacy challenges.

At the time, Mississippi had the lowest literacy rate in the nation, following the elimination of compulsory education laws for 25 years. Karl's work there focused on rebuilding systems and opportunities for learning—an effort that reflected his deep belief in education as the foundation of opportunity.

After his work in Mississippi, Karl moved to Charlotte, where he became a consultant exploring how emerging computer technology could help address illiteracy. In 1988, he settled in Bermuda Run, commuting regularly to Charlotte while continuing his work in education reform and innovation.

It was during this chapter that a friend suggested he meet Rae Nelson—a woman with her own remarkable background in public service.

Karl was told he should meet "Rae Nelson," who had worked in the White House. Assuming Rae was a man, he arrived at a business meeting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on January 27, 1994, at 2:30 p.m., with no particular expectations.

Then Rae came around the corner, introduced herself—and everything changed.

Karl was instantly smitten.

Rae Nelson's story is as global as it is grounded in public service. Born in Tripoli on the Fourth of July, she spent much of her childhood moving from place to place, the daughter of parents who both served in the CIA. Despite her international upbringing, she considers Washington, D.C., her true home.

Her career reflects both creativity and leadership. Rae worked as a magazine editor and television producer before spending eight years in the White House under two presidents—an experience she describes as "the best ever."

Serving as Associate Director for Policy Development under President George H.W. Bush, Rae played a key role in shaping national education initiatives. She worked closely with governors across the country to develop education initiatives, helping to bridge federal and state efforts in meaningful ways.

One of her most significant contributions was serving a direct role in organizing the first President's Education Summit with Governors—a groundbreaking event where governors voluntarily agreed to establish education standards for their states. In a telling detail, Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, was the primary lead and negotiator for the governors.

Karl and Rae married in 1995, eloping to Santorini, Greece—a romantic beginning to a partnership that would blend their talents and passions.

Rae moved to Bermuda Run, where the couple launched a consulting business focused on education and public service. Together, they worked closely with Wake Forest University, helping students understand what a career in public service looks like and how to pursue it. They were instrumental in founding Wake Washington, a program that connects students with opportunities in the nation's capital.

They have also authored numerous books, with a particular focus on literacy and education standards—work they consider among their most meaningful contributions.

In 2019, following the passing of her mother, Rae found herself at a turning point. Having spent years caring for her while also working, she now had the time to reengage more deeply with her local community.

Though she had attended candidate forums in Bermuda Run, she had not previously been able to commit to public office. That changed when she decided to run for Town Council.

Since then, Rae has served on Town Council, contributed to various subcommittees, and now serves as Mayor Pro Tem. Her approach is grounded in one core principle: listening.

She often emphasizes the importance of hearing from residents and credits Bermuda Run's leadership team as "incredible" in its dedication to the community.

Today, Karl and Rae's legacy is reflected not only in their professional accomplishments but in their family. With three children and eight grandchildren, they take great joy in watching the next generations experience all that Bermuda Run has to offer.

As Rae puts it, "There are three generations that love Bermuda Run."

It's a fitting reflection of a life built not just on service, but on connection—across time, across communities, and across generations.

From a student-built log cabin in Winston-Salem to the halls of the Pentagon and the White House, from literacy initiatives in Mississippi to town leadership in Bermuda Run, Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson have lived lives of remarkable scope and significance.

Yet what stands out most is not any single achievement, but the consistency of their purpose: a belief that service matters, that education changes lives, and that there is always more to give.

In Bermuda Run East, their story continues—not as a conclusion, but as a living legacy.