Michigan Economic Development Corporation

 

JoAnn Crary

President, Saginaw Future Inc., Saginaw
JoAnn Crary 2010
Current Focus

JoAnn Crary has been president of Saginaw Future, a non-profit, economic development organization for Saginaw County, since 1993.

Crary was appointed to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee in 1999. She chairs the Human Resources Subcommittee and is a member of the Finance Subcommittee.  She also serves on the MEDC’s CEO Practitioners Council.

Professional Background

Crary previously served as executive vice president for Saginaw Future, executive director of the Saginaw Area Growth Alliance and in various economic development positions in Saginaw County since the early 1980s.

In 2006, she was elected to serve on the International Economic Development Council board of directors, serves on the Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee and is part of the Economic Development Research Partners.

Education and Personal

Crary holds a B.S. degree from Ferris State University and an MSA from Central Michigan University. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CED), a graduate of the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute, and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.

Crary is on the boards of the Saginaw County Revolving Loan Fund, Saginaw Community Foundation, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows, Covenant Healthcare Partners and the Mobile Medical Response Finance Committee. She also serves on the Saginaw Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Citizens Bank Market Area Board and the Saginaw Hospital Finance Development Authority, and is a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association, CoreNet Global and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Crary was given the Wally Bronner Community Spirit Award from the Saginaw County Chamber of American Red Cross in 2010.  She also was honored with the inaugural Economic Leadership Award from Junior Achievement of Northeast Michigan in 2010.  The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce gave Crary its inaugural Athena award in 2005 and in 2001, the Michigan Economic Developers Association named Crary as the MEDA Medalist Award winner.  In 1996, then Governor Engler honored Crary as an Economic Developer of the Year for outstanding contributions in economic development.