Jerome Hoban new CEO of OC Fair

Jerome was named the Interim CEO of the Orange County Fair last night at the board meeting. We are so proud of him. He has been working very hard to get to this position. Here is the press release: 


MEDIA/PRESS CONTACT
Communications Department
OC Fair & Event Center
            (714) 708-1543    


OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER NAMES
JEROME HOBAN AS INTERIM CEO

Costa Mesa, Calif. (April 26, 2012) - Jerome Hoban, current Vice President of Operations at the OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) in Costa Mesa, has been named the interim CEO, succeeding current CEO Dr. Steven Beazley. He will serve in this position for 6 months, pending completion of an executive background check. The appointment begins May 1, 2012.

At the April 26 meeting, the OCFEC Board of Directors appointed Hoban into his new position. "When the Board learned of Steve's plan to retire, the Board agreed Jerome was the right choice to lead the OC Fair & Event Center. Jerome has been with the OC Fair for 19 years and possesses a wide historic and current knowledge base. He has proven his leadership through the years and will be invaluable during this time of change. We are confident in his leadership," said Joyce Tucker, OCFEC Board Chair.

Hoban has served for the past 4 years as the Vice President of Operations and oversaw Fair Planning and Layout; Master Plan and Construction; Event Operations; Facility Maintenance; Creative Services; Information Technology; Audio/Visual; Event Production; Sales; and Sponsorship and Marketing. As Vice President, he managed a projects' budget of more than $30 million, 500 employees and contractors, and the operation of more than 100 events each year.

"I am honored to be chosen to lead the OC Fair & Event Center into this next generation of the Fair. Steve has taken the Fair to an all-time high and I look forward to continuing along this path," said Hoban.

Beazley, who has worked at the Fair in a variety of positions since he was 12 years old, plans to transition out May 1.  The 2012 Fair theme, "Home Sweet Home," seems appropriate for this transition. "Of the accomplishments I have been part of at the Fair, none has been more satisfying than readying the organization for the future through conscious succession planning. I am in full support of Jerome Hoban taking the organization into the future and to the next level," said Beazley.

From Centennial Farm educational programs to event operations and capital planning, Hoban's 19 years at OCFEC has exposed him to nearly every operational function in the fair industry. Prior to joining the Fair team, Hoban grew up participating in all the OC Fair had to offer. Through Boy Scouts, FFA and 4-H, Hoban has spent his life learning and understanding the value the Fair brings to the Orange County community.  He earned an Executive Master's degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University while working full-time for the Fair. His Bachelor's of Science degree in Agricultural Business, Marketing from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo gave him a strong foundation and understanding of agriculture and the need for the fair industry. He is also a graduate of the Public Assembly Facilities Management School (PAFMS) and is a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM) and the Western Fairs Association (WFA)

Good Job Jerome!