CASEY CORIN HATCHER

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for December 2, 2023, from 3-7 p.m., at 615 Broadway Street, Chico, CA. In lieu of flowers, please support the Jesus Center, https://www.jesuscenter.org/

Casey Corin Hatcher passed away in the early morning of November 5, 2023. She was with her sister, mother, and two lifelong friends, all of whom provided around-the-clock care with love, laughter, and tears in her last days. These four women were there for Casey just as she had been for them so many times before.

Casey drew people out and helped them become who she knew they could be. She believed in people more than they believed in themselves at times. She made them laugh – A LOT. Her humor was witty, layered, and smart – but she wasn’t afraid to “go blue” if the situation called for it. If you knew Casey, you laughed.

She was a rock; she was a role model; she was a moral compass. She was a do-er; she “showed up and stepped up.” She was encouraging, challenging, motivating, but supportive. She was there to talk, consult, direct, chainsaw, dig, plant, and critique when necessary (in a caring way, mostly). All those that contributed to this memorial acknowledged (at least) one thing: Casey brought it; she was not one to half-a** her end of the bargain!

Casey is the youngest of two daughters and was born to Michelle and Tom Hatcher on February 26, 1980, at Auburn Faith Hospital in in Auburn, CA. Her big sister was excited to have a new baby but quickly learned that this one was different from a doll baby. From her first days Casey was inquisitive, and it was evident from some of the family’s early camping trips that Casey had a head for planning, directing, and problem-solving.

In Middle and High School, Casey participated in cheerleading, softball, and volleyball. An early-developing pragmatist, Casey decided to round out her extra-curricular activities for college admissions and in her final year she traded her softball career to head the yearbook committee (and guide the committee to a stellar yearbook in the process).

Casey attended Butte College where she became involved in Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), which is a world-wide college campus program dedicated to supporting students in developing community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. She and her team traveled to Africa where they provided young women the opportunity to learn and experience financial management and entrepreneurial skills. Casey went on to attend California State University, Chico, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Marketing. She later returned and earned a Master of Public Administration degree, graduating with distinction in 2017.

With a strong interest in business development, Casey began her professional career at The Chico Project (TCP), a marketing company focusing on economic development. She played a pivotal role in assisting over 60 businesses, including ChicoBag and various environmentally conscious startups. Her time there was a significant period in her life, marking the start of a career in public administration while echoing her passion for environmental sustainability. During her seven years at TCP, through the Butte County Business Incubator Program, she helped transform numerous ideas into successful enterprises, from upcycled clothing lines to organic flower companies. Casey’s environmental ethos was evident in her support for eco-friendly initiatives, often integrating this perspective into her work with clients. Her affinity for sustainable practices, such as recycling and reusing, was a defining trait, influencing both her professional endeavors and personal choices. Her work at TCP was not just professional but personal, too, fostering both lasting relationships and a deep connection with the community. Overall, Casey’s tenure at The Chico Project was a testament to her commitment to economic development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship, laying a strong foundation for her subsequent career in public administration.

In 2011, Casey joined Butte County Administration as a member of its economic and community development unit, where she began her enduring advocacy for the Butte County community that she served with dedication for the remainder of her life. Her worked included a variety of projects ranging from implementation of disaster assistance for homeowners affected by the 2008 wildfires to the establishment of the Tourism Business Improvement District in 2015 that continues to provide ongoing resources for local tourism development. Casey quickly became known for her intellect, quick wit, and dedication while developing enduring friendships and respect with those whom she worked.

In 2016, Casey accepted the role of the County’s Economic Development manager, where she took on additional economic development activities, such as working as the County’s business ombudsman focusing on helping expand local businesses. Success in these roles – plus many others in adjacent duties – were recognized, and by 2019 Casey had been promoted to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the County. There she worked on a variety of assignments and issues, working closely with land use and public safety departments.

During her time with the County, Casey was assigned to serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) – a role in which she flourished – building relationships with the media, creating communication plans and trainings for County staff, and most importantly, serving during numerous County emergencies including the 2017 Oroville Dam Spillway incident, 2017 La Port/Cherokee fires, and the 2018 Camp fire. The increasing severity of these disasters required countless hours, new strategies, and often grueling work, during which Casey proved again and again that she was up to the challenge.

Casey worked tirelessly in the days, weeks, and years after the Camp fire. Initially working to ensure fire survivors received accurate information; hosting community meetings and forums; doing interviews and connecting with local, state, and federal leaders – all the while having moved out of her home to provide a soft landing to a family who lost their home in the fire. Ultimately, Casey became the County “lead” for the Camp Fire Recovery, organizing County staff, advocating with state and federal agencies, and helping to rebuild the community for which she cared so deeply.

Casey’s expertise and advocacy were widely recognized in her community and beyond. On March 4, 2019, the California Senate passed Members Resolution No. 146, establishing Casey as the 2019 Woman of the Year for the 4th Senatorial District for her exemplary record of professional and civic leadership. Additionally, in October 2021, Casey was asked to testify before a congressional committee on disaster recovery where she was provided a national platform to advocate for disaster recovery and address the unmet needs and contradictory federal policies she worked so tirelessly to improve. The systems Casey put into place are used today as a model by communities experiencing catastrophic disasters, including most recently by the State of Hawaii in their response to the Lahaina Wildfire in Maui in August of this year.

The impact Casey had on our lives will be carried forward. We will continue to seek her voice of reason and direction. We will continue to ask her for guidance, her opinion. We will look for her when we need someone to share a laugh with. We are grateful for her never-ending care and support, for always showing up. We are enormously thankful for our time with her, but we all still wish we had just a little more…