Safari Circuits, an innovative leader in electronics manufacturing, engineering services, and supply chain management, announced today the hiring of Craig Nelson as company president.
Nelson will join long-time Safari executive Mike Kintz in leading the firm. Kintz has served the dual role of president and CEO of Safari for more than 18 months, following the purchase of the firm by Waséyabek Development Company (WDC), the non-gaming economic development entity of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe. Under the new leadership structure, Kintz will remain as CEO and will oversee all strategic and operational decisions for the company. Nelson will take over the day-to-day operations, focusing on product development, logistics, customer relations, business development, personnel, and all other management duties.
Prior to joining Safari Circuits, Nelson had a successful 22-year career with Stryker Corporation where he held a variety of leadership roles in operations and supply chain, including Vice President of Operations Innovation and Vice President of Global Sourcing for the last nine years.
“We are very fortunate to have Craig join the Safari leadership team,” said Mike Kintz. “He has been a key business partner for us in his role at Stryker, and he possesses a tremendous understanding of our business and how we operate. We’re excited to bring him on as president as we look to grow our business in several key markets.”
Nelson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Western Michigan University and has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education program. He is a board member of the Performance Review Institute, a global authority focused on industry-managed programs for a variety of industries including defense, aviation, space, transportation, energy, manufacturing, construction, and medical devices.
“Safari Circuits is one of those rare companies where the innovative talents of the staff mesh perfectly with the leadership vision to deliver a high level of product quality and customer satisfaction,” said Nelson. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this firm at this point in my life, and I look forward to working with the staff and our customers to build on Safari’s legacy of excellence.”
Safari Circuits was founded in 1985 and serves clients in the medical, instrumentation, industrial, automotive, and military sectors. It employs more than 150 people. Waséyabek Development Company purchased the company in January 2021. WDC was formed by the NHBP Tribe with the purpose of diversifying its economic portfolio and supporting the long-term sustainability of the Tribe.
