Upon graduation from Rockhurst University Carl was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy and became a Navy pilot. Following his active duty period, he remained in the Navy Reserves and retired after 21 years as a Commander. Following Carl's Navy experience, he held a number of management positions at Hallmark Cards and Crown Center Redevelopment Company. After 8 years at Hallmark and Crown Center Carl moved to Kroh Brothers Development Company where he gained more experience in leasing and developing commercial properties. Along with Ray Sonnenberg, Carl co-founded LaSala-Sonnenberg Commercial Realty Company in 1987. They developed, leased and sold several hundred properties for customers in Missouri, Kansas and a number of adjacent states.