In 1977, fresh out of school, Chris Charlton spent his days working as a traveling salesman for Burroughs in Detroit and his nights bartending at the Cave Bar on the corner of Warren and Mt. Elliott. Juggling two jobs to make ends meet and pay off his student loans, Chris was determined to build a successful future. When his father, R.L. Charlton, recognized the tremendous opportunities emerging in Detroit’s booming automotive industry, Chris saw more than a chance to make a living—he saw an opportunity to build something lasting and forge a legacy of his own.
In 1978, R.L. introduced Chris to AMG Industries, a respected manufacturer of precision metal components. With AMG’s rich family history and impressive capabilities, combined with Chris’s natural aptitude for sales and determination to succeed, the partnership was a natural fit. In July of 1978 the Charlton Group was formed with a sole client, AMG Industries and was secured with only a handshake. That partnership continues to thrive today, reflecting an enduring commitment to loyalty, trust, and shared success.
Robert Leonard Charlton [1931-2009] our inspiration, leader and a friend to all. Without his guidance our company would never exist. This photo was taken prior to the establishment of the Charlton Group during his career in Radio.
Since then, the Charlton Group has expanded our global reach to five continents. We uncover new opportunities and guide clients toward successfully supplying vital base components to OEM automotive companies and automotive tier-level manufacturers in major markets on every continent.
Our highly skilled, well-trained sales force understands the needs of business, engineering, and manufacturing. Charlton provides technical sales, program management, product quality planning, warehousing, and distribution, along with engineering, design, solid modeling, and strategic support with new global facilities and acquisitions. Our mission is to serve our clients everywhere and in every way.
CT Charlton currently serves as the President of the Charlton Group. Leaving a career in finance to officially join the Charlton team in 2011, CT was responsible for starting the industrial division which has been an area of steady growth and diversification across all business units. Throughout the next 10 years, CT held roles in Chicago and Seattle before moving to the Detroit area in 2020. Under CT’s leadership, the company has grown significantly expanding heavily into connected vehicle, ADAS, and autonomy. His leadership is characterized by strategic partnerships, long-term vision, and a deep commitment to reinvestment in people, innovation, and global collaboration.
An ATP-rated pilot, CT often takes to the skies both for business and for pleasure. Outside of work, he finds balance in the air, on the water, or on the slopes — most often alongside his wife and three children.
Christopher T. Charlton is the Chairman and Founder of The Charlton Group.
He is a graduate of Michigan State University, the father of two children, and an avid sportsman, including high-level tennis and a Black Belt in Martial Arts. Chris is a bible study participant, former President of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and benefactor of The Mayo Clinic, including endowments to the Charlton Building in Rochester, Minnesota. He is a significant donor to Michigan State University, recently funding the Christopher and Kristen Charlton Café located in the Eli Broad College of Business. Chris is an investor and Advisory Board member of Dura, Shiloh, Mobex, GRC, Luminar, and AGP.
Chris believes collaborating through an extended global enterprise has created some of his closest and longest-lasting relationships. He finds joy in creating sustainable businesses. His consistent approach has led to significant investments in global automotive manufacturing organizations. Beyond automotive, Charlton has diversified into energy with major investments that include 2.8 billion tons of iron ore, oil and gas wells, and non-automotive industrial initiatives as well as real estate.
Scott Miller joined the Charlton Group as Executive Advisor in 2026. He is a seasoned automotive and technology executive with 30 years at General Motors, most recently serving as Vice President of Software Defined Vehicle and Operating System. There, he built and scaled GM’s software organization, leading transformative programs including Super Cruise, Cruise autonomous integration, and the Ultium EV software and battery management platforms. Known for building high-performance teams and executing complex strategies, Scott holds advanced engineering degrees and completed executive leadership training at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Stephen Kennel is an advisor to CTCA and a member of the board. He was the President of Virtual Engineering for more than three decades, overseeing both product sales and engineering. Under his leadership, Virtual Engineering grew into a trusted name in the industry, known for innovation, quality, and technical excellence. Before launching Virtual Engineering, Steve brought his expertise to Johnson Controls (now Adient), where he managed complete seat engineering. His career also included impactful roles at Volkswagen of America and General Motors.
Franz Linner joined the Charlton Group in August 2018 as an Executive Technology Advisor. He began his career at Siemens Semiconductors and previously served as Senior Vice President, Supplier Network Americas, at BMW Group. Franz is an energetic achiever who has led strategic market launches and accelerated global supplier development for international success.
Heinz Preissler joined BMW in 1969 and previously served as President and CEO of BMW-Brilliance China. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the German Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Beijing and a member of the Board of Directors of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in China.
Kevin VanBuskirk is Vice President of NA Sales & Operations at the Charlton Group. A former U.S. Marine, he built his career in automotive sales and business development with roles at Lear Corporation and HARMAN International, leading growth initiatives across automotive and commercial vehicle markets. Kevin also serves on the board of a nonprofit for disabled veterans hockey organization.
Steve Marney is Chief Technology Officer at the Charlton Group, bringing over 25 years of enterprise architecture and consulting experience across automotive, manufacturing, financial, retail, government, and IT services sectors. He provides thought leadership in AI, cloud, data integration, and modern architectures, helping organizations drive scalable, high-speed digital transformation while leading high-performing Agile teams and cross-functional collaboration.
Tonya Krause is Vice President of Talent & Client Experience. She has worked in the automotive industry for over 25 years, previously with BASF Heavy-Duty Diesel and Adient seating. Tonya holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri-Rolla in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Education for Secondary Mathematics and Physics from Eastern Michigan University.
Wayne A. Coulman Jr. is Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development. Before joining Charlton, Wayne was the Senior Executive at an Engineering Service Firm, where he shepherded and grew the General Motors program from the ground up. Winning the Top Diverse Supplier at General Motors in 2015 is a testament to his achievement. Wayne's ability to foster high-level relationships across automotive and non-automotive sectors is one of the keys to Charlton's success.
Kevin Fromm is the Vice President of the European Division, with nearly 30 years of experience in automotive, heavy trucks, and commercial vehicles in a variety of products and technologies. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dayton and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Shusaku Maruko is the President of Charlton Asia. His professional background includes serving as an engineer at Sony Corporation, Etak Inc., and as a board member of FeliCa. Shusaku currently serves as Executive Director and board member of U-shin Ltd.
Wayne Morrison is Vice President in the Industrial Division, handling the Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota markets. He has 25 years of experience in the off-highway market, as Vice President for Kohler Engines and Director of the Commercial Industrial Division for Briggs & Stratton.
With offices strategically located across five continents, Charlton Group maintains a strong presence in key global manufacturing markets. We continue to expand our team and enter new markets to better serve our clients. If you require support in a location not listed above, please reach out. We may already have plans underway to establish a presence in that region.