Christopher Ilitch
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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[citation needed].
He also is vice president of the Detroit Red Wings and an NHL alternate governor, president of the Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, and vice president of Little Caesar Enterprises. Ilitch is a 1987 graduate from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
[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[citation needed].
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" ([1]). 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 ([2]).
[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[citation needed].
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 ([3]). 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 ([4]). MLB has a strict ban on involvement with or participation in gaming by team owners, managers and players ([5]).
Christopher Ilitch and his wife Kelle have one son.
