Leadership
Craig Christianson - Principal, CEO
As a South Dakota native, Craig has nearly twenty years in corporate and commercial real estate banking experience. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, Craig spent nearly thirteen years in Phoenix, Arizona working with developers. Craig then moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where his primary focus became corporate family owned businesses. Throughout this process Mr. Christianson worked with a number of large businesses and developed a strong skill set in evaluating the financial strength and overall performance of a company.
Mr. Christianson took his financial expertise and entered the hotel business in 2000 as he and his brother broke ground on their first property. Since then, Craig has been involved with all aspects of hotel ownership and management. With Mr. Christianson’s lead, the company was able to expand and build an additional hotel in 2002 and yet another in 2006. This growth was possible due to the financial success of the existing property. Cash flow from the previous properties was used to finance the new hotels. He has successfully overseen the development, construction, and management of each property. The hotels under Mr. Christianson’s oversight have received recognition within each respective franchise earning numerous awards over the years.
Harry Christianson - Principal, Legal Counsel
Admitted to bar in 1974, South Dakota.
Education: Kemper Military College (A.A. 1969); University of South Dakota (B.S., 1971);
University of South Dakota (J.D. 1974).
Mr. Christianson has served as counsel to Governor William J. Janklow and as the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Commerce and Regulation. He serves as a lobbyist and as an administrative law counsel for numerous major corporations and trade associations before the South Dakota State Legislature and state and federal agencies. Mr. Christianson has been instrumental in the development of numerous businesses in western South Dakota, assisting with capital formation from both private and government sources and regulatory approval for clients in these efforts. Mr. Christianson served on the South Dakota Banking commission and was a member of the Gaming Law Committee of the South Dakota Bar Association. He currently serves on the South Dakota Commission of Gaming. Mr. Christianson has also served as counsel for the Gold Dust Casino and Hotel. His firm specialized in representing hotels, casinos, and restaurants.
Jami Battochio - Chief Operating Officer
Jami grew up in rural South Dakota. Currently, she is blessed to call the beautiful Black Hills home with her husband and 3 boys ages 18, 9 and 6. She has worked in different leadership roles in hospitality, gaming, marketing and customer service over the past 15 years. Jami enjoys a fun-loving work culture where familial bonds are created while still ensuring the tasks at hand are accomplished successfully. She is an authentic, passionate and goal driven person.
One of her favorite quotes is “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden. She maintains simple beliefs regarding team culture and interactions. Respect all. Treat people how you want to be treated. Show up and support one another while maintaining a positive mindset. Jami would consider her greatest accomplishments being able to see past and present team members grow into strong, thriving leaders in the industry and community after being able to help mentor and support them along the way. “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.”
In what spare time she has in the summer, you will find her at Pactola and outdoors as much as possible. In the winter months she spends time with her family at the ice rinks. If you ask her what goes best with a cup of coffee, she will say another cup. 😊 She is a huge foodie- tacos and a margarita or a steak with red wine can cure most anything.
Katie Sales - Corporate Director of Revenue Management/Digital Marketing
Katie started working for ChrisBro Hospitality in 2013 and has contributed to many departments from awards at hotel level Operations to Director of Sales, and Development. Along her path in hospitality, she became highly proficient in revenue management and excelled over the years leading to her current position.
She currently is the Corporate Director of Revenue Management for the ChrisBro Hospitality portfolio. With a strong background of Hilton property management systems and revenue management system expertise gained by experience and training at Hilton’s headquarters in Memphis, TN she leads our hotels to directly impact and maximize positive revenue generation.
Katie has earned the Revenue Management 360 Certification through the School of Hotel Administration from Cornell University which includes certification in Advanced Hospitality Revenue Management: Pricing and Demand Strategies and Hotel Revenue Management. Additional courses through Cornell she has excelled in are Marketing the Hospitality Brand through Digital Media and Implementing Brand Strategy through Digital Media. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science Degree where she played Varsity Soccer.
She lives in Rapid City, SD with her husband and is a bonus mom. Her sidekick rescue pup Lily accompanies her to the office each day, and when not working they enjoy hiking in the Black Hills. She also enjoys boating with family, biking, running (1 marathon, 28k Big Sky Rut Mountain Run, 11k Big Sky Rut Mountain Run, 6 half marathons, 1 triathlon) soccer, and gardening.
Benjamin Christianson - VP of Finance
Laura Simmons - Development Specialist & Accounting
Jen Aipperspach - Corporate Office Manager
Lily - Corporate Director of Happiness
Elsa - Chief Canine Officer
