Christopher Ilitch

Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., directs the company that provides professional services to the businesses owned by Michael and/or Marian Ilitch. These entities include: Little Caesar Enterprises, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Champion Foods, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Uptown Entertainment, and the Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program. The total combined revenue of Ilitch companies was $2.0 billion in 2008. Christopher has been, and continues to be, a force in the strategic planning for the future growth of all Ilitch companies. Since taking on the role of president at Ilitch Holdings, total combined revenue for the Ilitch companies has grown 150 percent from $800 million in 2000, to $2.0 billion in 2008. Active in civic and community organizations, Christopher is chairman of Ilitch Charities and is on the board of directors of the Detroit Economic Club. He serves as chairman of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors and is a board member and a member of the executive committee for the Detroit Regional Chamber and Business Leaders For Michigan (formerly Detroit Renaissance). He is also a member of the Detroit chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. In addition, Ilitch served as chairman of the hospitality committee for the 2009 NCAA Final Four Men’s Basketball Tournament. He was also a guiding force behind the hugely successful 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star event in Detroit and was a member of the Super Bowl XL host committee. Ilitch graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He and his wife, Kelle, have two children and reside in metro Detroit.