The Detroit Jazz Festival has promoted Cornell Batie to executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Batie will implement the strategy he used to grow the organizaiton as chief financial officer and will continue to develop relationships with sponsors, manage company resources, and strive for excellence throughout all aspects of the Detroit Jazz Festival.
Batie, first joined the organization nearly 10 years ago as its financial manager and has helped to increase sponsorships by 40 percent, attained a 25 percent savings in the organization’s information technology services, and built a strong strategy for growth. He has achieved similar financial success in his role as vice president of finance for Mack Avenue Records, a position he has held since 2009.
Previously, Batie worked as a purchasing project manager for Ford Motor Co. and held leadership positions with the Friends of First Living Museum and the Detroit Jobs Corps Center.
Batie is an avid ballroom dancer and instructor and also serves on the boards of the Gretchen C. Valade Endowment for the Arts Foundation and The Arts League of Michigan.
He received bachelor degrees in management and accounting from the University of Detroit. Additionally, he earned a master’s in finance and international business from Wayne State University.
