Blue Jackets President Mike Priest to Retire

Mike Priest, president and alternate governor of the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2007, will retire effective September 30, the team announced. Priest has spent the past 30 years with JMAC, Inc., the private family holding company of John P. McConnell and the McConnell family, majority owners of the Blue Jackets.

Priest joined JMAC in 1996 and was named its president in 2001 before taking over as Blue Jackets president in April 2007, overseeing all aspects of franchise operations. He began his career in 1986 with the accounting firm Meaden & Moore, where he earned his CPA certification and made partner. A native of south-central Ohio, he graduated cum laude from Ohio State with a business administration degree, also in 1986. Beyond the Blue Jackets, Priest has served on the Columbus Partnership and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission’s executive committee, and as one of four managing board members for Columbus Arena Management, which runs Nationwide Arena.

“For three decades, Mike has been an invaluable member of the JMAC and Blue Jackets families and has played an integral role in helping shape both companies during periods of growth, change and opportunity and has done so with integrity, professionalism and a commitment to our staff, customers and fans,” JMAC, Inc. chairman John H. McConnell II said.

McConnell II, who also serves as a Blue Jackets alternate governor, will assume the president duties for both JMAC, Inc. and the Blue Jackets for the immediate future. Priest will remain in an advisory capacity through the end of the calendar year.