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Charles W. Ergen (born May 1, 1953) is the co-founder and CEO of EchoStar Communication Corporation, the parent company of DISH Network.
Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Ergen is the son of a nuclear physicist. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (BA) and Wake Forest University (MBA). He worked as a financial analyst for Frito Lay and as a professional blackjack player until he was kicked out of a casino for card counting.
In 1981, he founded EchoStar with his wife Candy and Jim DeFranco, targeting rural audiences for satellite dish service. He hosts a show called Charlie Chat on the DISH Network.
Ergen has a reputation of being a down to earth person and a ruthless businessman.
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