There are many synonyms for the phrase "was in charge", which means to have authority or responsibility over a situation or group of people. Some possible alternatives include "had control", "oversaw", "managed", "supervised", "directed", "headed", "led", "guided", "commanded", "ruled", "organized", "coordinated", "administered", and "governed". Each of these synonyms carries a slightly different connotation, so choosing the right one will depend on the specific context in which it is used. Overall, however, they all convey a sense of power and responsibility over a given situation.