Leadership

Mike Challoner brings six decades of marine industry experience to his role as President of Main Industries. With a solid foundation in shipyard repair manufacturing, Mike expanded his expertise in marine surface preparation and coating, working as a commissioned sales agent specializing in marine paints, coatings, and sandblasting equipment. His extensive experience includes collaborations with shipyards, marine fleet operators, and engineering firms. As an entrepreneur, Mike founded an equipment rental company before cofounding Main Industries in 1976 with three family investors.

From its inception, Mike has been instrumental in every phase of Main Industries’ growth. He spearheaded landmark projects, including the grit blasting and coating application on the first RCOH overhaul of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Mike also played a key role in establishing the company’s non-skid division and scaffolding program. 

As President, Mike remains committed to cultivating Main Industries’ reputation for safe, reliable, and high-quality marine projects on time and within budget. He emphasizes safety, compliance and profitability in every endeavor.

Mike’s leadership philosophy centers on mentoring the next generation of marine industry professionals.  By offering hands-on learning, guidance with minimal oversight, and fostering pride in craftsmanship, he helps young talent discover their ideal career paths in this dynamic and complex field.

Chris Challoner brings over two decades of diverse experience within Main Industries, where he has held various roles in production, quality assurance, safety, estimating, and planning. Joining the company in 2000 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from the College of Charleston, Chris quickly established himself through a management training program that immersed him in every aspect of operations, from blasting and painting to quality assurance and safety.

In his current role as Senior Vice President, Chris focuses on driving growth and maintaining the company’s commitment to safety and first-time quality. A significant achievement under his leadership was securing the Columbia subcontract with Newport News Shipbuilding, where he led facility and equipment design efforts, collaborating with contractors to meet client specifications in a design-build approach. Chris’s leadership philosophy emphasizes honesty and integrity, fostering a culture of trust and accountability. By encouraging open communication and collaborative problem-solving, he inspires innovation and continuous improvement across his team. Outside of work, Chris is dedicated to his community, volunteering at Saint Patrick Catholic School and participating in events at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He also enjoys family time, supporting his children’s sports, boating, fishing, and traveling with his wife Courtney and their three children.

Michael Challoner, a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College with a degree in economics, brings over twenty years of experience in the maritime and industrial industry to his role as Scaffold Division Manager at Main Industries. His career began in the preservation departments where he gained hands-on field expertise in surface preparation and coatings. This foundational experience positioned him for a mentorship as junior superintendent, where he honed his project management and leadership skills while supervising highly trained work crews across complex projects.  

Michael broadened his expertise by working in the quality assurance (QA) and safety departments, further solidifying his understanding of operational excellence. In 2014, he played an integral role in establishing Main Industries’ scaffold division, helping to build the department from the ground up into a trusted provider of scaffolding and access solutions for maritime and industrial clients. 

As Scaffold Division Manager, Michael is dedicated to ensuring safety compliance and delivering first-time quality by leading a team of highly skilled professionals in the maritime scaffold industry. His leadership has transformed the division into a sought-after partner, recognized for innovative and reliable scaffolding solutions. Michael’s leadership philosophy centers on fostering teamwork, pride in craftsmanship, and consistent, high-quality results that exceed client expectations.