Charles William Ergen better known as Charlie Ergen (born 1953) is the former co-founder, and Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Dish Network, formerly known as the EchoStar Communications Corporation.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] He stepped down in May 2011.[1]
Charles Ergen was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on March 1, 1953.[6][7] He received a Bachelor of Arts the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and an M.B.A. Wake Forest University.[2][5][1][6][7][8][9] He was a blackjack and poker professional player.[3][10]
In 1980, he founded EchoStar with his wife Cantey ("Candy"), and friend Jim DeFranco.[3][4] He started selling satellite dishes door to door in Colorado.[11] Both Cantey Ergen and Jim DeFranco still sit on EchoStar's eight-member board.[3] He purchased Sling Media in 2008.[10]
He is worth US$6.4 billion.[8] He is the 46th richest American citizen.[12] He supported John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.[6]
He is married with five children.[8][9] He lives in Littleton, Colorado.[7][8][9]