Governor expands State Fair Board membership

Board will now have 19 members

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2014) — Gov. Steve Beshear today expanded the membership of the Kentucky State Fair Board from 15 members to 19, adding representation from local tourism and agribusiness. Two nonvoting student members were also added.

The board oversees operations for the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center. The events at the venues produce more than $450 million in annual economic impact for the state.

Members who had been serving on the Fair Board will continue to serve on the reorganized board until the expiration of their term of service.

New appointments:

Appointed to the Kentucky State Fair Board to serve for a term expiring Dec. 12, 2016:

• Lois Mateus, of Harrodsburg. Mateus represents the state at large who is involved with or experienced in agribusiness.
• Michael J. Grisanti, of Louisville. Grisanti represents the hospitality and tourism industry.

Appointed to the Kentucky State Fair Board to serve for a term expiring Dec. 12, 2017:

• William B. Tolle, of Maysville. Tolle represents the state at large who is involved with animal agriculture.
• Ann Bakhaus, of Lexington, represents the state at large.
• Jennifer Barber, of Louisville, represents the state at large.

Appointed to the Kentucky State Fair Board to serve for a term expiring July 15, 2018:

• Ryan Bridgeman, of Louisville, represents the state at large.
• Jimmy Cauley, of Louisville, represents the state at large.
• Gibson Garrett Gosser, of Somerset, represents the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows.
• Austin Hazelwood, of Frankfort, is the current Kentucky FFA President.
• Jordan Slone, of Lexington, is the current Kentucky 4-H President.

Continuing appointments for a term expiring Dec. 12, 2014:

• Andrew Marshall Coyle, of Owingsville, represents Kentucky Farm Bureau.
• Thomas J. Schifano, of Louisville, represents the state at large.

Continuing appointments for a term expiring June 30, 2016:

• Ronald Carmicle, of Louisville, represents the state at large.
• Mark Lynn, of Louisville, represents the state at large.  The Governor also appointed him as chair of the board.

Continuing appointments for a term expiring Dec. 12, 2016:

• James Michael Libs, of Philpot, represents the state at large. The Governor also appointed him to be vice chair of the group.
• Frederick Kelly Sarver, of Carlisle, represents American Saddlebred Horse Association.