LAKE COUNTY >> Debbie Strickler, of Kelseyville, is set to assume the position of chief executive officer on Oct. 1 at the 49th District Agricultural Association, which operates the Lake County Fairgrounds.
Strickler will be replacing Richard Persons, who is leaving Lake County to become the chief executive officer at the 37th District Agricultural Association in Santa Barbara County, which operates the Santa Maria Fairpark.
Strickler is a life-long resident of Lake County and has worked at the Lake County Fair for the past decade as its business assistant, a state designated position that incorporates responsibilities for office management, accounting, contracting, payroll and human resources.
“The board is extremely happy to be able to promote Debbie to chief executive officer,” fair board President Marcia Chauvin said. “Lake County Fair is very lucky to had her services for the past 10 years. We will miss Rich, but Debbie has proven herself more than capable and we”re excited for the fair”s future under he leadership.”
“I”m very excited and thrilled by this promotion,” Strickler said. “I love being at the fair and working for Richard has been a rewarding experience. He is a wealth of knowledge and well respected in the fair industry, which has allowed me to learn from one of the best. I”m looking forward to applying that knowledge to my home town fair.”
The 49th District Agricultural Association operates the 34-acre Lake County Fairgrounds, where it presents the Lake County Fair and the Lake County Spring Fair. The district”s association has a full-time staff of two and a year-round, part-time staff of six. It employes nearly 100 people during the fair.
One of Strickler”s first responsibilities will be to fill the business assistant position she is vacating.
