Founder and CEO of EchoStar Communications Corporation

Charles W. “Charlie” Ergen was born to parents William and Viola on March 1, 1953. Reared in Tennessee, he attended Oak Ridge High School (1971) prior to finishing University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Prior to his career take off, he finished his Master of Business Administration at Wake Forest University. His living legacy would be in the media industry.

The story behind Charlie Ergen’s success actually begins from the back of a truck in the 1980s. A former professional poker player and Frito Lay financial analyst, he changed lanes and decided to sell TV satellites with his wife. From this humble beginning, he created what would be a big satellite company known as EchoStar Communications Corporation, together with wife Cantey and business partner Jim DeFranco. His business model had rural audiences as its target market for satellite dish products and services. Today, he has over 13.7 million in long time subscribers. September 2007 saw its purchase of Sling Media, an Internet TV company, in a $380 million deal.

Charlie Ergen has been serving as the CEO and Chairman of EchoStar Corporation since his appointment in October 2007. In February 2008, he took on the responsibility as President of DISH Network Corporation, which was formerly known as ECC. Through the years, he established a good reputation as CEO for only the best companies: EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation, EchoStar Holding Corp. (for which he is also Chairman of the Board), and DISH DBS Corporation (as well as its Chairman and President).

The year 2009 saw Charlie Ergen’s rank in Forbes World’s Richest People enter the 146th slot, while the previous year, DISH Network was among the Forbes Global 2000. With all these corporate commitments, it is all the more laudable that he is also actively involved in many philanthropic works. From 2007-2008, he gave an estimated $1 million in donations. Through its $3.6 million in assets, the Telluray Foundation (formerly the Ergen Family Foundation) has significantly contributed to the Valley Floor Preservation campaign among others. As early as 2004, he was recognized by ColoradoBiz as one of the state’s 25 Most Powerful People.