Jackson Community College
Alumni Relations Alumni ProfilesTim Booth
JCC sets alumnus on pace for MIS careerWhile Dale Jr., Jeff Burton and Mark Martin all have pit crews to keep running at Michigan International Speedway, behind the scenes Tim Booth leads a massive crew of workers in preparing for the three biggest weekends of the year. As director of guest services at MIS, Booth works with staff for months to prepare for three weekends, which may draw up to a quarter of a million guests to the Brooklyn, Mich. raceway. Fielding questions from guests before the event to managing feedback from guests after, Booth works hard to see that each person enjoys their visit. He oversees fan amenities for the race weekends, such as guest trams, handicapped courtesy carts, information centers and free vehicle service provided by AAA. He manages staff orientation and training for all of the service roles before the event. Thousands of personnel work each race weekend. Booth is a Jackson native and alumnus of Jackson Community College. He recalls his days at JCC fondly, as he met his wife, Debbie, now of 20 years, while at the College. From JCC he transferred to Eastern Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration. “Going into my senior year in high school, I wasn’t really committed to furthering my education beyond high school,” Booth said. “It was during my senior year that I decided I would go to JCC, start there and see what I thought of college, and it was just a terrific experience. It was close to home, it was affordable, and it was an excellent education. It was a great step from high school toward furthering my education.” He spent about 15 years in retail management, which he greatly enjoyed because it was different every day and stimulating to the mind. But, as a racing and sports fan, the lure of having MIS so nearby beckoned to him. “I was a race fan and a sports fan, and I had this opportunity literally right in our back yard. I thought it would be nice to work in some sort of sports environment,” Booth said. Booth loves his job and is thrilled to have such a unique opportunity so close to home. He also coor-dinates the Spirit of America Blood Drive at the speedway, held each Sept. 11 following 2001, which has grown to be one of the nation’s premier blood drives. This year’s event collected 788 units for the American Red Cross. “I feel privileged to have had these opportunities, attending JCC, working at a place like MIS. I’m born and raised in Jackson, and I haven’t ventured too far from home, ever!” |