Born in Seattle, he attended the University of Grenoble in France and the University of Washington in Seattle. Craig is a marine enthusiast who has always conveyed his knowledge and passion for the sea through his pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit.
His career began in 1972 as founder, manager and major stockholder in PLANET sarl, Nice France. PLANET became one of the largest pleasure boat and water sports dealers and distributors in Europe. It held over 50% of the European water ski and competition ski boat market with brands such as Connelly Skis & Correct Craft Boats. PLANET was also one of the original Sea Ray dealers in Europe and Chris Crafts’ largest dealer in the world for several years running.
A pioneer in Export Development and setting up marine and equipment dealers and distributors for pleasure boats in Europe, Craig developed the first European floor planning package in conjunction with Borg Warner and EXIM Bank. Along with his strongp marketing and communication skills, Craig has a rare ability to go in and get the groundwork, set up and operate new and innovative projects. He lhas been successful in several fields. In addition to the marine sector, for example, he was a co-founder of the French high-end wine business, Olivier Leflaive, which is based in Puligny Montrachet, a commercial property development and high tech in the USA and France.
From 1984 to 2005, Craig was one of the founders and members of the Board of Directors and major shareholders of luxury wine maker SEVIB D.B.A. Olivier Leflaive Frères from Puligny Montrachet, France. Initially involved in product positioning for the North American market, negotiations with original partners e North American distributor, Hiram Walker / Allied Lyons.
Throughout these years, Craig has been active in several businesses. He is one of the founding shareholders of Latcom/CLC communications for mobile trucking systems (1985 to 1996), sold to Nextel. Further, he was Export manager and then President of communications of the software and high-tech business TELEMEDIACARTES S.A. of Sophia Antipolis, France, and SMARTECH of Seattle, Washington. Specialized in Smart Card software and applications (credit cards with a microchip on them), Craig negotiated a joint business development with Telecom France, IBM, GTECH (a world leader in online lottery systems), Arthur Andersen , and Singapore Development Board. He is a founding member of Smart Card Industrial Association (1986 to 1991).
From 1992 to 1994, he was a partner in Lassen Trading of Atlanta, Georgia. He was also an export representative for American-made pleasure boats and marine products. Craig doubled sales in a down market, set up the European office, and brought in companies such as Cruisers, Rampage and Fountain Powerboats to the partnership.
From 1993 to 2014, Craig was a partner in Orcas Business Park in Seattle, Washington, which owns and manages a 13-acre commercial real estate park in an industrial section of Seattle.
He is fluent in English and French, and notions Italian, Spanish and German. A bad golfer, great snow skier, good water skier, decent cook and sailor, Craig dabbles in art and music, gardens, swims and bikes regularly.