About

JoAnn Crary recently retired as the 30+ year president of Saginaw Future, a non-profit economic development organization.  She held that position since 1993. Crary has a Bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and a graduate degree from Central Michigan University.  She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.  In 2015, Crary received the Fellow Member and Honorary Life Member designations by the International Economic Development Council.

• Crary was the 2015 Board Chair of the International Economic Development Council and in that role, she focused on Inclusive and Equitable Economic Development.  JoAnn remains involved in IEDC, as a member of the 2025 Nominating Committee.  Crary is also a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association and a former board member.
• JoAnn was a founding member of the Economic Development Leaders for Michigan and served for many years on the MEDC’s Collaborative Development Council, an advisory group to Michigan Economic Development Corporation leadership.
• Governor Snyder appointed JoAnn for an eight-year term on the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control, which expires in mid-2025.  Ms. Crary also continues to serve on CMU Medical Education Partners Board, Huntington Bank Market Area Board, The Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation Board, City of Saginaw Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and the Mobile Medical Response Board of Directors and Finance Committee.

She continues to work under contract at Saginaw Future through the transition period ending mid-2025.