Keith Crisco

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on January 7, 2009 - 4:40pm.
Tags:

Office District Status
Commerce Secretary Statewide Appointee
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat 2009
Level of Government  
Cabinet  
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
, Aquadale, NC Asheboro, NC

Synopsis

Keith Crisco is secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce and a member of Gov. Beverly Perdue's Cabinet. A native of Stanly County, he earned an MBA at Harvard University, then took a job in the apparel industry. In 1986, he founded a successful elastics company. Since 2003, he has served on the Asheboro City Council. In 2009, Perdue announced she would appoint Crisco as Commerce secretary. 

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Jane
Children
Sons, John and Jeff; daughter, Julia

Keith Crisco is secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce and a member of Gov. Beverly Perdue's Cabinet.

Early Life and Education

John Keith Crisco Sr. was born and raised on a cattle farm near Aquadale, N.C.

He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and physics at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, N.C., in 1964.

He earned a master's of business administration at Harvard University in 1968. 

When he was accepted into the Ivy League school, his parents had never heard of it. 

Professional Career

After graduate school, Crisco took a job as assistant to the executive vice president for Burlington Industries. He worked for the company for 10 years, including stints in Chicago and New York City.

In the 1970s, he moved to Asheboro to head the elastics division of an underwear company. 

In 1986, he and partners formed Asheboro Elastics to produce elastics for home furnishings and medical and industrial uses. The company's revenues grew every year except 2001 and were $32 million in 2008. 

He likes to joke that the company's mission is to "hold your underwear up."

Political Career

From 1970 to 1971, Crisco was a White House Fellow, serving as assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce during the Nixon administration.

Since 2003, Crisco has served on the Asheboro City Council, where he pushed the city to market the North Carolina Zoo. 

From 1981 to 2008, he served as a member of the board of trustees of Pfeiffer University. 

He is a former chairman of the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research. 

Perdue Administration

On Jan. 5, 2009, Gov. Beverly Perdue announced she would appoint Crisco as Commerce secretary. 

He had contributed $5,500 to Perdue since 2004. 

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith and Ben Niolet.

Occupation





Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info



Education

bachelor of arts
Pfeiffer University
Graduated: 1964		 master of business administration
Harvard University
Graduated: 1968

Military

Not specified.

Links










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