New state fair manager announced
The newly appointed general manager of the Colorado State Fair is coming to the Centennial State from California.
Sarah Cummings is currently the CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds and Event Center in Petaluma, California.
“I am thrilled that Ms. Cummings will be steering the Colorado State Fair,” said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown. “I am confident in her ability to direct the activities of the Fair in a manner that will honor our mission of supporting youth and agriculture while continuing to improve its financial position,” Brown said.
In part, the duties of the Colorado State Fair General Manager include:
Responsibility for the efficient production of the annual 11-day Colorado State Fair with a focus on customer experience and satisfaction.
Effectively manage the year round operations of the 100 acre state fairgrounds with 57 permanent building structures. Manage and balance an $8 million budget with an eye toward budget efficiencies, including development and management of the 5-year budget plans. Develop and implement plans to increase facility use outside of the annual State Fair event.
“Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Colorado State Fair and I consider the 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) programs a priority in my new role,” Cummings said. “I’m excited to begin a new chapter of my career in Pueblo and look forward to further developing the fairgrounds on a year-round basis,” she said.
Cummings has a degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where she majored in Recreations, Parks, and Tourism Administration with an emphasis in Special Event Coordinating and Fair Management.
Cummings replaces Chris Wiseman, who has been serving at the Fair in Pueblo since 1996 and became the General Manager in 2004. Wiseman accepted the Deputy Commissioner position at CDA in April 2015. He has been serving both roles until his replacement was hired.
The 144 th Colorado State Fair will be held August 26-September 5 th , 2016. The Fairgrounds provides nearly $34 million in economic activity to Colorado throughout the year; $29 million of that activity is driven by the annual State Fair event.
