Prior to forming Challenger Consulting, Charlie Henry was part of DaimlerChrysler’s Mopar Parts Division, where he expanded the sales of Mopar Performance Neon parts and launched a new performance line for PT Cruiser.  As Mopar’s Team Viper member, he personally gathered owner feedback to aid his development of Viper performance and race parts and then co-authored a Viper Crate Motor Installation Manual.  Viper niche market sales topped $1.2M.

Charlie led the design, development and sales of Mopar Prowler accessories, from concept car to production.  Most notable was the unique Prowler Trailer, which exceeded management expectations by easily meeting his more aggressive sales forecasts.  Personal interaction with wheel engineering and design teams gained their long-sought cooperation in creating Mopar’s first-ever Accessory Wheel Line.

Charlie developed and managed all Mopar sponsorship activities at two National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag races.  The Mopar Mile-High Nationals is now the longest-lived same-sponsor event for the NHRA.  His event operation guide, created to coordinate the many activities within the sponsorship, has been described as an industry standard.  It has since been successfully applied to other programs.  The guide’s thoroughness rewarded Mopar with frequent access to highly sensitive corporate concept vehicles for Charlie’s events.  His direction of Mopar’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show exhibit grew it from a modest division activity into a major corporate marketing event.
 

Through Charlie’s imagination and supervision, Julie Clark’s Mopar T-34 aerobatics sponsorship became Mopar’s longest running and, perhaps, most popular promotion.  After nineteen years, the program only recently ended – the longest continuous sponsor-performer relationship in air show industry history.
 

Charlie originally managed Direct Connection/Mopar Performance parts sales, through six sales groups, to over one hundred domestic and international wholesalers.  Sales more than doubled with his promotions and personal attention to customers and the distribution network.

At Kelsey-Hayes, Charlie created training programs on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard brake systems.  Several truck manufacturers incorporated a major program, verbatim, into their service manuals.  He also wrote service manuals and trained audiences throughout the heavy truck industry.  Charlie’s first career was in education, instructing high school and community college automotive programs.  Over forty percent of his high school graduates were inspired to begin automotive-oriented careers. 

Charlie grew up restoring antique cars with his father and absorbed a great deal of Les Henry’s vast knowledge of automotive history.  In high school, a Craftsman tool box, skinned knuckles, a flat head Ford and occasional midnight rope-tow home made up his curriculum.  The remaining school time was squandered on a diploma.  During college, he played hooky to work on special vehicle projects and Trans Am Mustangs at Ford’s Kar Kraft operation.

Preparing and racing his own car, Charlie attained national ranking in Sports Car Club of America competition.  He was a factory driver for Dodge’s Team Shelby endurance race program, has filled an occasional seat for the Archer Brothers and has compiled countless hours of high speed vehicle development with Viper Engineering.  Currently, he contributes to the Skip Barber Racing School and other agency training activities.

Charlie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Education – Auto Mechanics from Western Michigan University, an MBA from Lawrence Technological University and has completed numerous professional training programs.  He is a member of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) and SEMA, serving on the latter's Show Committee.  He holds life membership in the Antique Automobile Club of America, belongs to the Sports Car Club of America, several enthusiast auto clubs, the Yankee Air Museum and the American Aviation Historical Society – the journal of which published an article authored by Charlie.  He also donates time to committees of the charitable Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.