Bernie Henderson’s career in government began when he was in high school, serving as the legislative aide to a State Senator and three members of the House of Delegates. While in college, he was on the staff of the Clerk of the U. S. House of Representatives.

After college, Henderson began his career in Virginia government as Administrator of the Bureau of Insurance, then Assistant to the Commissioners of the State Corporation Commission, Director of the Department of Commerce (appointed by Governor Robb), and Director of the Department of Health Professions (appointed by Governors Baliles and Wilder). He left government at the conclusion of the Wilder Administration.

Henderson joined the Loewen Group, the second largest operator of funeral homes and cemeteries, first negotiating acquisitions of firms and then managing 17 Loewen locations in Virginia, Maryland and DC.

He returned to Virginia government at the beginning of Governor Warner's Administration as Senior Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth and was reappointed by Governor Kaine. His responsibilities included registration of lobbyists, administration of the conflict of interest laws, issuance of clemency (pardons, commutations of sentences and restoration of rights), and vetting and advising the Governor on appointments to offices and boards.

At the conclusion of the Kaine Administration, Henderson became Director for Family and Community Relations for Woody Funeral Home, a firm with three metropolitan Richmond locations, becoming President of the firm in February of 2014.

Combining his interest in political history and funeral service, Henderson has collected facts about the deaths and funerals of Presidents and presented programs on this subject to church groups, community organizations, civic clubs and classes, including semester-long programs for the Open University of the Shepherd's Center and the Osher Institute of the University of Richmond.