Wednesday, August 20, 2008
ABOUT FAIRPLEX

  LOS ANGELES COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION

The Association will not exceed 50 active members, including an 11-member board of directors. Directors are elected by and from the Association annually. New Association members are elected by the board based on their outstanding contributions to the community. The Fair Association employs officers, management and staff.


Richard P. Crean
Chairman of the Board

Residence: Alta Loma
Family : Wife: Val Daughter: Stephanie; Son: Michael
Joined Fair Association: 2001

Named chairman in 2007…Served as  vice chairman since  2002…Chair of LACFA finance committee, serves governance and nominating committee, MS Center for the Arts at Fairplex board of directors, chair Lifestyle committee...Retired CEO of Averbeck Company Insurance Brokers…Currently senior financial advisor with California Financial Partners in Glendale…Chairman of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation Board…On board of directors of PFF Bank & Trust...Director of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Board…Chairman of board of National Orange Show…Director of board at Damien High School…Native of Yonkers, New York.


James E. Henwood Jr.
President and CEO

Residence:
Corona del Mar
Family: Wife: Sharon; Daughters: Kimberly and Kirsten
Joined Fair Association: 1995

President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Fair Association since Nov. 1995…One of only four paid managers or presidents since the Fair’s inception in 1922…Guides the vision and implementation of the mission and growth strategies of the non-profit association…With a strong commitment to the community he was the catalyst in the establishment of the Fairplex foundations and is actively involved in year-round programming, fundraising and educational projects…Serves on the Pomona Youth and Family Master Plan and Implementation Strategy committee...Serves on the Pomona Leadership Forum and Pomona Blue Ribbon Committee…Honored with 2008 Corporate Leadership Award from Inland Valley News…Recipient of 2005 Pomona Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award... Recipient of the Volunteer of the Year by the Pomona YMCA in 2003…Active on the board of advisors for the Collins School of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona…Serves on boards of the four Fairplex Foundations...Board of directors for the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership…Board of directors, Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, board member of Winners Foundation and Pomona Valley Educational Foundation…He is on the boards of Pomona Valley YMCA, University Educational Trust at Cal Poly Pomona…Brought 26 years experience in retail and hotel management to Fairplex, formerly as the general manager of South Coast Plaza…Earned a bachelor of science degree from the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration at Oklahoma State University in 1969. Native of Niagara Falls, NY.


Dale Coleman
Vice President - Sales, Marketing, and Creative Programming

Residence:
La Verne
Family: Wife: Jeanine; Son: Jacob
Joined Fair Association: 1999

Named vice president of sales in March 1997…Vice president of sales, marketing and creative programming in 2002…Develops objectives, policies and programs for marketing activities for the organization and oversees all areas of year-round sales, sponsorship sales, commercial sales, marketing, advertising, promotions, public relations, creative development and entertainment… Serves on LACFA strategic planning committee...Previously worked as manager of special production projects for General Dynamics Corp. in Pomona... Honored with General Dynamics Extraordinary Achievement Award in 1984 and 1987... Formerly served on board of directors of International Association of Exhibition Managers, now Int’l Association of Expos & Events), southwestern states chapter...Member of National Association of Consumer Shows and International Assn. of Assembly Managers…Former board member La Verne Chamber of Commerce...La Verne Little League coach... Graduate of Public Facility Management School at Oglebay, West Virginia… Graduate of University of La Verne with a B.A. in social science… Has 18 years experience in Fair industry.


Dwight Richards
Vice President-Operations

Residence:
Monrovia
Family: Wife: Pamela; Daughter: Hailey; Son: Spencer
Joined Fair Association: 1997

Named to current position in 2001…Oversees facilities, security, parking, environmental services, capital investment, community and government relations….Serves on LACFA strategic planning committee...Previously owned and operated his own computer consulting business which provided computer and information system consulting services to various industries, including fairs and expositions, child development agencies, accounting firms and small businesses…Served as a consultant to Fairplex before being named Information Technology Manager, developing many of its key application systems… 2006 President of Pomona Chamber of Commerce...Graduate of Claremont McKenna College with B.A. in accounting and economics. ..Has 25 years Fair experience.


Michael D. Seder
Vice President - Finance and CFO

Residence:
Claremont
Family: Wife: Diana; Daughters: Leslie & Madelyn; Son: Evan
Joined Fair Association: 1984

Named CFO in 1989, after serving as corporate controller, controller and assistant controller…Oversees all financial activities, including accounting, payroll, purchasing and admissions, and Fairplex development department and charitable organizations... Also in charge of guest services, human resources and risk management…Serves on LACFA strategic planning committee, Fairplex pension committee and boards of the four Fairplex foundations..Served as accountant for Bechtel Investments, Inc. in San Francisco before joining Fairplex... Board of directors of San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of American Red Cross and Claremont Youth Baseball league...Board member of Claremont Education Foundation…Has competed in several distance races, including Boston Marathon. Graduated cum laude in 1982 from Claremont McKenna College, where he played basketball for three years and majored in economics with an emphasis on business... Received Executive MBA from Claremont Graduate School in 1993... Has 24 years experience in Fair industry.



 

Jeff Tucci
Vice President - Hospitality

Residence: Rancho Cucamonga
Family: Wife: Kathy; Daughters: Jackie & Julie; Son: Jason
Joined Fair Association: 2006

Responsibilities include Sheraton Suites Fairplex hotel, Cornucopia Foods, LLC, Fairplex KOA/RV Park, events and admissions and development of the Fairplex Trade & Conference Center…Provides expertise in branding areas of Fairplex relating to hospitality…Nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry…Most recently executive assistant manager of Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego...Prior served as general manager of the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Cape Cod, Mass. Graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration...Holds an associates degree from the Culinary Institute of America…Two years experience in Fair industry...Native of New York.



Bernard Bernstein
Director

Residence:
Claremont
Family: Wife: Barbara Sons: Alex and Andrew
Joined Fair Association: 1997

Named Fair director in 2004...Serves on the Strategic Planning Committee for the LACFA, board of directors for the Fairplex Child Development Center, Fairplex CDC finance committee and Pomona Community Committee…Managing partner of Bernstein and Rathman Inc., certified public accountants in Pomona...Treasurer of Pomona Rotary Club …Trustee for Cal Poly Associates… Board of directors at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and American Red Cross…Trustee of the Pomona Valley Hospital Foundation…Past president of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce…Past president of the California Jaycee Foundation…Member of the LeRoy Haynes Finance Committee and the City of Pomona Investment Committee…Named Small Business of the Year in 1996…Awarded the Pomona Community Service Award in 2001…Graduate of Cal Poly Pomona…Native of Phoenixville, Penn.


Robert Dukes
Director

Residence: Claremont
Family: Wife: Mary Daughters: Jennife And Lauren
Joined Fair Association: 1990

Named Fair director in 2003…Currently LACFA secretary, chair of bylaws committee, chair of the Claremont Community Committee...Los Angeles County Superior Court judge… Prior to serving as a judge, he had a private law practice… Served as Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney from 1976-1981… Member of the board of directors at the Pomona Boys and Girls Club… Member of the Pomona Rotary Club…Adjunct Professor Law, University of La Verne Law School...B.A. University of Redlands, Juris Doctorate Southwestern University School of Law…Native of Pomona, Calif.


Juan Gamboa
Director

Residence: Rancho Santa Fe
Family: Wife: Ramona; Sons: Juan Jr. and David
Joined Fair Association: 1979

Named Fair director in 1993... LACFA strategic planning committee, Pomona Community Committee, serves as vice-chair of Fairplex Education Foundation board...Realtor with Coldwell Banker Real Estate...Retired from special sales and leasing at Citrus Motors Ford in Ontario…Former president of Gamboa Enterprises Inc... Past president and current member of Pomona Kiwanis Club...Was 1987 lieutenant governor for Division 15 of Kiwanis International... On the board of Inland Valley Economic Development Corp…Past board member of Pomona Red Cross, Claremont Community Foundation, President's Society of Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona Valley Historical Society and Pomona Chamber of Commerce... Native of Mexico... Holds accounting degree from Escuela de Ensenanzas Especialis No. 24 in Tijuana.


Linda Keagle
Director

Residence:
Upland
Family:
Husband: Charles Daughters: Lesley, Jennifer and Allison Son: Charles
Joined Fair Association: 2002

Named director in 2003…Serves on the LACFA strategic planning committee, finance committee, investment committee, green committee, chair Hall of Fame committee, board member Millard Sheets Center for the Arts at Fairplex... She and her husband founded the Cask ‘n Cleaver Restaurants in 1967…They have owned the historic Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga since 2002 and recently opened Blackwood American Grill in Corona…  Chosen one of the “63 Women of Distinction” in the 63rd California Assembly District in 2006...Served as judge for the L.A. County Fair Creative Expressions department and the Wines of the World packaging design competition... Writes food and wine articles for various publications… Remains active in several area Chambers of Commerce…Member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Int’l and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs…Graduate of Northern Illinois University.  Native of Evanston, Illinois.


Arthur J. Ludwick                                                  
Director

Residence: Glendora
Family: Wife: Sarah;   Daughters:  Sharon and Heidi; Son: Erik
Joined Fair Association: 1990

Named Fair director in 2002…Chair of LACFA finance committee, member of strategic planning committee, chair investment committee, member bylaws committee, member Hall of Fame committee, member green committee, member Glendora community committee...Retired chief financial officer and senior vice president, Rain Bird Corporation…Currently serves on board of directors as non-executive chairman of the board...Member of Glendora Kiwanis…Chairman emeritus of Foothill Hospital Foundation…Serves on board of directors Citrus Valley Health Partners governors committee, chairman of board of compensation committee, member audit committee...Member of President’s Council at Cal Poly Pomona…Former member of Glendora Parks and Recreations Commission…Graduate Stanford University, B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Civil Engineering Administration…Past president of Citrus College Foundation…Received Presidential Citation from White House in 1985 for his support of computer literacy at area public schools…Art and Sarah were honored at the 2004 L.A. County Fair Premiere Party for their many years of community service and dedication to education...He and Sarah were named Citizens of the Year by Glendora Chamber of Commerce in 1987…Native of San Luis Obispo, Calif.


Stephen C. Morgan               
Director

Residence:
Claremont
Family: Wife: Ann; Daughter: Kesley
Joined Fair Association: 1990

President of the University of La Verne since 1985, just the institution’s 17th president… Named Fair director in 1997... LACFA chairman of the board, Nov . 1, 2002-07…Served as vice chairman in 2001… Chair of LACFA strategic planning committee…Serves on LACFA finance committee, governance and nominating committee, Pomona Blue Ribbon Committee, Fairplex CDC board of directors, La Verne community committee...He and his wife Ann are the 2008 LACF Premiere Party honorees for their commitment and support of education and community organization…Has served as the executive director of the Independent Colleges of Northern California, director of development for the University of Southern California and has filled a variety of positions at ULV… Serves as a director for LeRoy Haynes Center, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center …Member, Executive Committee of Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities…Earned doctorate in educational management from the University of Northern Colorado, M.S. in educational administration from USC and B.A. from ULV… Born in Upland, Calif.


Larry M. Rinehart            
Director

Residence:
Upland
Family : Wife: Chris; Daughter: Marla; Sons: Mike and Matt
Joined Fair Association: 1995

Named Fair director in 2002…Retired President and CEO of PFF Bank & Trust, 2006…Currently serves on PFF Bank & Trust board of directors... Board of directors of the Fairplex Education Foundation, member finance & compensation committee, member bylaws committee, Serves on boards of California Bankers Association, America’s Community Banker’s and PFF Bancorp Inc.…Board of Trustees University of La Verne…Serves on the board of the Old Baldy Boy Scouts of America… Earned B.A. from University of La Verne in Education…Native of Cleveland, Ohio.


Jil Stark
Director

Residence: Claremont
Family: Husband: Jack; Daughters: Janet and Jennifer; Sons: Jeff and Jon
Joined Fair Association: 1979

Named Fair director in 2002…Serves on LACFA governance and nominating committee, board of The Foundations at Fairplex, chair of Fairplex Education Foundation, chair Pomona, La Verne, Claremont, San Dimas, Glendora and Chino Hills  community committees...Board member of PFF Bamcorp...Member Foothill Philharmonic Curtain Raisers...Member of board of Scripps College...Chair Scripps Alumnae Association…chair Mt. San Antonio Gardens board...Development chair Recording for Blind & Dyslexic...Serves city council June Lake...Former director of Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College…Former lecturer and dean of freshman at Scripps College, Claremont…Born in Tokyo, Japan.


Ronald T. Vera               
Director

Residence: Claremont
Family: Wife: Christina; Sons: Noah, Luis, Adam and Paul Joined Fair Association: 2001

Named Fair director in 2002…Attorney and partner in the law firm of Gutierrez & Vera in Claremont and Chino…Serves LACFA strategic planning committee, governance and nominating committee, chair research and development committee, Pomona and La Verne Blue Ribbon committees, member of Fairplex Paradigm committee... Former adjunct professor of law at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Law…Serves on the board of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and Pomona Valley YMCA… B.S. Michigan State University…Law degree from UCLA…Native of Pomona, Calif.


Reginald Webb
Director

Residence: Claremont
Family: Wife: Rene; Daughter: Kiana; Sons: Karim and Kyle
Joined Fair Association: 1990

Named Fair director in 1997…Named vice chairman in 2007... Owner/operator of 11 McDonald's restaurants in the Pomona area…The latest acquisition opened June 1, 2001 in La Puente where Webb was employed by McDonald's 18 years ago... Past chairman of the National Black McDonald's Operators Association, after serving as chairman from 1994-1998… He opened his first two McDonald's in 1985, followed by additional restaurants in 1988 and 1996… Began career with McDonald's in 1973, working his way from manager trainee to regional vice president... Has served on the board of directors of McDonald's of Hawaii and the Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities… Serves on the board of the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and McDonald's National Leadership Council… Member of 100 Black Men… Served in United States Coast Guard.

 


Los Angeles County Fair Association Members

Elizabeth Bingham
Senior Minister, Pilgrim Congregational Church

John Bock Jr.
Managing Director, J.W. Childs Associates

Laura Bollinger
Community Volunteer

*Kenneth Bonilla
Retired Surgeon

*Bob Bush
Retired Senior Vice President
Donrey Media Group

Charles Cable
President and CEO
Hillcrest

*Richard Carr
Retired Chairman of the Board
Carr Paper Company

Wen Chang
President
Trade Union International Inc.

Tom Compton
President, National Hot Rod Association

Michael Driebe
Non-profit Management Consultant

*Robert Eggert
Retired District Manager, East Valley Division,
Southern California Gas Company

Jimmy Espinoza
President & Managing Partner
DeOro Home Loans

*John Felton
Senior Vice President and Manager
Citizens Business Bank

Gino Filippi
Co-owner, Joseph Filippi Winery & Vineyards

Don Galleano
President, Galleano Winery

Jimmy Gutierrez
City Attorney, Chino

Roger Hanawalt
Dentist

Jennetta Harris
Local Public Affairs Region Manager-Southern California Edison Company

Sue Hyland
Owner, The Claremont Club

Don Kendrick
Owner, Don Kendrick Real Estate

Michael Kunce
President and CEO
Armstrong Garden Centers

*Ora Lampman
Retired, City of Burbank

Christopher Leggio
Owner and Vice President
Mark Christopher Auto Center of Ontario

Patrick Leier
Education Consultant

Felice Loverso
President & CEO, Casa Colina, Inc.

Daniel Manning
Group Vice President
Coca-Cola USA

Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana
Superintendent- Pomona Unified School District

Robert Mendez
Senior Vice President of Diversity
Disney/ABC Television Group

*Karen Miller
Retired Athletic Director
California State Polytechnic University

Niaz Mohamed Jr.
President, Salico Farms

April Morris
President, Associated Engineers

Michael Ortiz
President, California State Polytechnic University

Rodri Rodriguez
President & CEO
Rodri Entertainment Group

John Rountree
President, TriMedia USA Inc.

*Michael Smith
Retired, Attorney at Law

John Solomon
Owner, Liquorama

Randell Stoll
President & CEO
Mt. San Antonio Gardens

*Royce Stutzman
Chairman, Vincenti, Lloyd & Stutzman

Emmett Terrell
Deputy Superintendent, Personnel Services
Pomona Unified School District

Edward Tessier
President, Jeved Management

Gary Thomas
Retired, Facility Director, HCC Industries

John Todd
President, Todd Memorial Chapel

Ron Vander Molen
Owner, Vander Molen Antiques & Estate Sales

Mark Warren
Owner, Mark Warren Realty & Investments

*William Wilkinson
Retired, Realtor, Wilkinson Realty

Richard Yochum
President & CEO
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center


    
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