Craig Hatch Named New Jackson Chamber and Experience Jackson President

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (dba Experience Jackson) have announced that Craig Hatch has been named the President and CEO of both organizations effective March 23, 2020.

The selection of Hatch as the new President and CEO comes after conducting a national search led by an industry leading executive search firm and the Chamber and Experience Jackson’s Search Committee.

Kirsten Blackdeer, the Experience Jackson Board Chair said, “We are very fortunate to have someone with Craig Hatch’s experience and enthusiasm for our community accept the role of CEO and President of Experience Jackson.”

“I’ve worked with and known Craig for years. His experiences, both personal and professional, will make him a great President/CEO of the Chamber and Experience Jackson. I am excited to watch him lead these great organizations into the future.” Said former Experience Jackson and Chamber President and CEO, Mindy Bradish-Orta.

Hatch attended Hanover Horton Schools and went on to Central Michigan University, graduating with a degree in Business Administration and Commercial Event Management. After graduating he started his career at Michigan International Speedway as Operations Manager and in 1999 was promoted to Director of Operations for Auto Club Speedway in Southern California.

In 2006, Hatch decided to leave the beach and his career to move home to Jackson, put down roots and be an active part of his home community. For six years Craig contracted for organizations such as the NFL, NCAA, RNC, World Equestrian Games, and Gold Cup Soccer as a senior planner and operator for events around the country such as the Super Bowl, and Final Four. While managing his contracting career Craig also helped with and had ownership in a local family business.

In 2013 Craig returned to Michigan International Speedway as Senior Director and eventually Vice President, leading Operations, Facilities, Business Development, Government/Community Affairs, and Emergency Management. In 2016 Craig married the love of his life Taryn Hatch and welcomed her two children Haley and Brady Applegate into his life, and they have completed their family, adopting over the years, dogs Cora and Sophie, cat Gato, and most recently from Cascades Humane Society, cat Sushi.

Throughout his career Craig has enjoyed community involvement and volunteering for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and by serving on the Board of the Anchor Initiative. He looks forward to the collaborative opportunities and implementing new ideas to continue the positive growth and continued success of Jackson.

Hatch said, “Jackson is where I was born and raised. While school and jobs have taken me away, my heart has always brought me back and I am excited for the opportunity to directly impact the success of our Jackson communities, businesses and nonprofits.”

For more information about the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, visit the their website at www.JacksonChamber.org. For more information about Experience Jackson, visit their website www.ExperienceJackson.com.