Christopher Ilitch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Ilitch (born June 1965, Detroit, Michigan) is one of the seven children of Mike and Marian Ilitch. Today he is president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., a privately held entity with total revenues reported to be over $1 billion. ([1])
He also is vice president of the Detroit Red Wings, and is an NHL alternate governor. His name is engraved on the Stanley Cup three times (1997-97-2002). Christopher Ilitch is also president of the Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, vice president of Little Caesar Enterprises and a member of MotorCity Casino's management committee. Ilitch is a 1987 graduate from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Contents |
[edit] Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Mike and Marian Ilitch named Christopher and his older sister, Denise, as co-presidents of Ilitch Holdings, Inc in 2000 and reportedly a bitter rivalry ensued. ([2])
In 2004, Christopher Ilitch was named President and CEO ending the well chronicled clash between the siblings and his sister departed Ilitch Holdings, Inc. "to pursue other opportunities" ([3]). Also departing at the same time from Ilitch Holdings, Inc. were 20-year veteran spokesman, Al Sebastian; Tigers vice president of business affairs, Jim Stapleton; longtime general counsel Jay Bielfeld; and Cheryl Good, an executive assistant. They were reportedly supporters of Denise Ilitch. Good sued Ilitch for sexual bias and wrongful termination in a highly publicized legal action ([4]).
[edit] Civic & Charitable Involvement
Christopher Ilitch is chairman of Ilitch Charities for Children and is on the board of directors for the Atanas Ilitch Osteosarcoma Foundation, Detroit Renaissance, the Metro Detroit Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Detroit Regional Chamber, and the Detroit Economic Club. He was chairman of the Major League Baseball 2005 All Star Game Host Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the 2006 Super Bowl XL Host Committee ([5]).
Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., his mother's partner in various gambling enterprises, raised eyebrows when they hosted back to back $5,000 per person fundraisers for then Congressman Richard Pombo sparking national media controversy and debate in July 2005 ([6]). The events were hosted in the Ilitch family owner's suite at Comerica Park during MLB's 2005 All-Star Game.
An Indian Tribe wanting to build a casino, backed financially by Marian Ilitch and Malik, was seeking favorable status from Pombo's committee a week or two later ([7]). MLB has a strict ban on involvement with or participation in gaming by team owners, managers and players.
On February 14, 2008 Illich was presented with the key to the City of Detroit by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick for the work performed by his family[1]. The family is only the 5th recipients in the history of the city, the others being actor James Earl Jones, the neurosurgeon Benjamin Carson, and Jerome Bettis[2].
Christopher Ilitch and his wife Kelle have one son.
[edit] References
- ^ Judge salutes Horton for making difference by embracing talent | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
- ^ The Corner on National Review Online
