Dr. Charles Benjamin Hensley: Biography
Dr. Charles Benjamin Hensley was born on October 12, 1953, in McAlester, Oklahoma. His childhood took him across several states. In 1960, he moved to Newport News, Virginia, where he lived until 1975. He then returned to Oklahoma, attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a year, and moved to Norman to study at the University of Oklahoma. There, he played college football and earned his degree.
In 1981, Dr. Hensley continued his studies at Long Beach State University in California, where he focused on marine biology. He worked with renowned shark biologist Don Nelson at California State University, Long Beach, deepening his interest in shark behavior and ocean predators. Notably, Don Nelson attracted filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who, during a visit in the early 1970s, was inspired by the shark drawings, maps, and notes scattered around Nelson’s office. Spielberg’s team later recreated details from the lab in Hooper’s office in *Jaws*.
Dr. Hensley completed predoctoral studies at the University of Southern California from 1984 to 1988, followed by postdoctoral research from 1988 to 1993. His career later expanded into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and entertainment, showcasing his role as an entertainment entrepreneur.
From 1993 to 1996, he served on the faculty of Cleveland Chiropractic College. In 1996, he founded Gel Tech, later known as ZICAM, and helped develop ZICAM Cold Remedy, an over-the-counter cold remedy. He also invented the nasal delivery system used in ZICAM products and co-founded Gel Tech LLC to bring the products to market.
Dr. Hensley’s work gained international attention, including coverage in *USA Today* and *Time* as well as an appearance on CNBC’s *Squawk Box Asia*. His contributions to pharmaceutical innovation included developing broad-spectrum antiviral products, securing licensing agreements, and pursuing advancements in nasal therapeutics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. He founded Nasal Therapeutics, Inc., creating migraine treatments that received FDA approval and clearance.
He also entered the cosmetics industry, partnering with a Hong Kong-based group to establish Jovell, Inc. The company now markets more than thirty products across Asia.
In 2008, Dr. Hensley turned his attention to entertainment. He founded Hensley Records in 2009 and signed artists across several genres. In 2016, he expanded the business into a global brand, establishing a parent corporation for music, television, and film production.
Across all these fields, Dr. Hensley has built a career as an international innovator and entrepreneur. He is also a novelist, with works including *Cold Wars*, detailing the discovery and marketing of ZICAM, and *SAR-CoV Wars*, which explores scientific and political perspectives on emerging viral diseases, including SARS and avian influenza.
