Our Mission
Fairplex at 100
Founded in 1922 with a mission centered on the region’s agriculture and commerce, Fairplex is richly ingrained in the history of Southern California. As we approach the 100-year anniversary of the LA County Fair, it is important to ensure our strategies are relevant and beneficial to Southern Californians.
During this process, we will honor and respect the mission, purpose and history of Fairplex while collaborating with stakeholders, government officials and neighbors to further build community and strengthen our economy for those who live, work play and learn at Fairplex.
We invite you to visit this page often to see our progress and welcome your input into this very important process.
Executive Team
Walter M. Marquez
President & Chief Executive Officer
Joined Fair Association: 2018
Walter serves as the CEO, responsible for leading the organization, financial reporting and engaging in the future development of Fairplex. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education as an administrator and adjunct professor, Walter has held responsibilities in short and long-term financing and multiple developments, including public/private partnerships and donor-funded projects. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Bernardino, an MBA from Cal Poly Pomona and a Doctoral degree from the University of La Verne.
Los Angeles County Fair Association Board of Directors
Heidi Hanson
Chair of the Board
Joined Fair Association: 2008
Heidi Hanson was named Director in 2014 and has served as Chair of the Board since June 2019. She has also served on the Finance committee for the Child Development Center at Fairplex and the Career and Technical Education Center’s agriculture advisory committee, a program of The Learning Centers at Fairplex. Mrs. Hanson has worked at Rain Bird for over 20 years and is Finance & Administrative Manager for Rain Bird International. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Rain Bird Corporation. Mrs. Hanson has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from Lafayette College, a Master of Accounting with a Concentration in Tax from the University of Southern California, and an Executive MBA from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. She is married with three children, all of whom attended the Child Development Center at Fairplex.
John Landherr
Vice Chair of the Board
Joined Fair Association: 2013
John Landherr was named Director in 2015 and Vice Chair of the Board in 2021. He also serves as the LACFA Finance Committee Chair. Mr. Landherr is Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of A-Z Bus Sales Inc., a transportation dealer-distributor serving the education, government, public sector, commercial, and private fleet markets with a broad portfolio of bus solutions in several states. He has over 28 years of experience in executive leadership roles at multiple companies. Before joining A-Z he served as President of Certified Aviation Services (CAS) where he was responsible for leading its growth from a regional provider to an international aircraft services company with 25 locations across the US serving all major commercial airlines both domestically and abroad.
Mr. Landherr served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a CH-53 Super Stallion weapons and tactics instructor pilot at the Marine Corps’ aviation squadron, MAWTS-1, where he was the subject matter expert for combat search and rescue operations.
Mr. Landherr additionally serves on the Pomona Valley Hospital and Medical Center Board, on its Executive and Finance Committees, as founding Board Member of Chino Hills Aquatics, public address announcer for the Chino Hills High School Varsity Football Team, a Blue and Gold Admissions Officer for the US Naval Academy Admissions Office, and as an usher for Inland Hills Church in Chino Hills. A native of Temple, Texas, Mr. Landherr earned a bachelor’s degree from the US Naval Academy and an MBA in Finance from Texas A&M University. He is married with three children.
Linda Bosserman
Secretary of the Board
Joined Fair Association: 2001
Linda was named Director in 2016 and has served as the secretary of the Board of Directors since 2017. She also serves as Chair on the Audit Committee, as well as serving on the Investment Committee. Dr. Bosserman is a Professor of Medical Oncology and Director of Value-Based Care and the Center for International Medicine. After practicing oncology in our community for 26 years her practice joined City of Hope in 2014. Dr. Bosserman focuses her professional work with academic and community clinicians to deliver the latest cancer care and clinical trials through collaborations and technology. She served four years on the board of directors for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was elected Fellow of ASCO, and was chosen and served three years as Editor-in-chief of ASCO’s Oncology Practice journal. She has served on many other boards and committees for regional, state, and national oncology organizations including the California American Cancer Society. She has been recognized by her peers as one of the top 4 percent Best Doctors in the US annually since 2005. She writes and lectures for professionals and the public on high-quality, value-based cancer care incorporating personalized precision cancer therapies. Dr. Bosserman is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford Medical School, and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School Oncology Fellowship program. She is a former faculty member at Stanford and Harvard Schools of Medicine. Outside of LACFA and her career, Dr. Bosserman enjoys delighting guests with delicious, healthy cooking, as well as for her family, eight grown children, and 13 grandchildren.
Michael Driebe
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2005
Michael Driebe was named Director in 2019. He serves as Chair on the Finance and Compensation Committee, as well as the Governance and Nominating Committee and Executive Committee. He is Chair of the LACFA Investment Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of The Learning Centers at Fairplex. Mr. Driebe is President of the Methodist Hospital Foundation, a sole support foundation for Methodist Hospital of Southern California. He is an active community member and has served the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Greater Los Angeles Chapter as Treasurer, Secretary, and President. Mr. Driebe is a member of the Rotary Club of San Marino, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and holds a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University. He received a master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne.
Heidi Gallegos, IOM
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Heidi L. Gallegos, IOM was named Director in 2020. She serves as Chair on the Governance and Nominating Committee, as well as on the Finance and Compensation Committee. She is currently the President of Aligned Insight Consulting; a boutique consulting firm aiding non-profits and other 501(c)’ take their collective vision for their organization from thoughts to success.
As a former Trustee for the Rowland Unified School District in the San Gabriel Valley and as an Executive Officer for Chambers of Commerce in and around Southern California, Ms. Gallegos understands the connection between K-12 education and business. She started a non-profit organization to aid seniors, both high school and persons over the age of 55, to seek entrepreneurial opportunities as a way of finding one’s true calling in life. Ms. Gallegos studied Organizational Management at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA) and earned certification with the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management, a four-year master’s course program on non-profit management. Ms. Gallegos is originally from the San Gabriel Valley but currently lives in Temescal Valley with her husband Bob. She enjoys time with her five adult children and seven grandchildren.
Peter Hidalgo
Director
Appointed: 2021
Peter Hidalgo was appointed as a Director in 2021, representing LA County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. He serves on the Finance and Compensation Committee, as well as the Investment Committee. He is a seasoned government affairs and communications leader, elected official, youth mentor with more than 20 years of experience in the private and public sector. Mr. Hidalgo is a Spectrum government affairs executive with responsibility for local government relations throughout greater Los Angeles County. As an elected official, Peter is a member of the Walnut-based Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustees. His previous employment includes the City of Los Angeles as Council Chief of Staff and as Mayor’s Press Secretary. He has held leadership roles in corporate communications with Southern California Gas Company and was part of the start-up team that launched the region’s long-distance commuter rail system, Metrolink as Director of External Affairs.
He serves on the Boards of the LA’s BEST, Just Us 4 Youth the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network, The Learning Centers at Fairplex, Los Angeles County Business Federation and the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. Peter was born in Ecuador and is fluent in Spanish. He holds a Bachelor and a Master of Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
Gil Ivey
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2008
Gilbert F. Ivey was named Director in 2021. He serves on the Governance and Nominating Committee. He retired from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as the chief administrative officer. He serves on numerous boards and commissions, including executive boards of the Los Angeles Central City Association, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and the American Association of Blacks in Energy. He was re-elected as the Vice Chair of the Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM). He is a member of San Diego’s prestigious Catfish Club, Greater San Diego and Los Angeles Area Chambers of Commerce, and serves on the city of La Verne’s Youth & Family Action Committee Executive Board. Mr. Ivey is a recipient of the American Society for Public Administration Los Angeles Metro Chapter’s Tom Bradley Equal Opportunity Award in 2004, and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce award in 2005. Mr. Ivey earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills and numerous professional designations and certifications in management from both Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California.
Dr. Devorah Lieberman
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2011
Dr. Devorah Lieberman was named Director-Elect in 2020 and named Director in 2021. She serves on the Finance and Compensation Committee. She is the University of La Verne’s 18th and first female president. She brings more than 30 years of higher education experience, scholarship, and leadership to the institution. Dr. Lieberman is currently Chair-Elect of the New American Colleges & Universities (NAC&U), and serves on the Boards of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU), the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and the LA Chamber of Commerce. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Humboldt State University, a master’s degree in Intercultural Communication from San Diego State University, and a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication and Gerontology from the University of Florida. She and her husband Roger Auerbach have two daughters, Alicea and Emery.
Margarita Luna
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Margarita Luna was named Director-Elect in 2021. She serves on the Governance and Nominating Committee. She is a Senior Program Manager at The California Endowment who focuses on developing health and racial equity investment strategies in underserved communities, particularly in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Ms. Luna also serves as Chair for the Inland Empire Funders Alliance, organizing and leading five collective impact and pooled fund efforts. She attended the University of California Los Angeles, where she earned a Master of Social Welfare in Health Services and a Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences.
Tamela Omoto-Frias
Director
Appointed: 2021
Tami Omoto-Frias was appointed as a Director in 2021, representing the LA County First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. She serves on the Finance and Compensation Committee. She is the Senior Budget Deputy to Supervisor Hilda L. Solis of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Since 2018, Tami‘s responsibility include oversight of the County budget, operations, audit, labor issues, and other policy areas. Prior to serving Supervisor Solis, Tami worked for 13 years in the County’s Chief Executive Office, primarily in budget and legislation, as well as risk management and special projects. She began County service in 2000 in the Department of Human Resources in the Employee Benefits Division. Mrs. Omoto-Frias is a graduate of California State University Northridge and currently a resident of Montebello in the First District. However, she and her husband will be returning next year to the City of Los Angeles where she was born and raised.
Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Cid was named Director in 2012. He has previously served as Chairman of the Board and currently serves as Vice Chair on the Governance and Nominating Committee, as well as the Audit Committee. Mr. Pinedo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF). He is also active in the community, serving on the board of the Riverside Art Museum, and is a San Bernardino County Housing Authority Commissioner. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s Seminary and a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.
Kiana Webb
Director
Joined Fair Association: 2009
Kiana Webb was named Director in 2018 and currently serves on the LACFA Finance Committee. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Webb Family Enterprises, a management company that oversees numerous business lines through the lens of pursuing parity. Ms. Webb leads passionately, always striving to attain a higher degree of excellence, with the intention for those around her to reach their ultimate potential. She is an active participant in professional and social organizations, is an inspirational leader, a motivational speaker, and a community philanthropist. Ms. Webb is an advocate for improving the lives of women, children, and people of color, and is the proud mother of three children.
Directors of Emeriti
Bernard Bernstein
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1997
Bernard Bernstein was named Fair director in 2004 and became an emeritus member in 2016. He is managing partner of Bernstein and Rathman Inc., certified public accountants in Pomona. He is affiliated with a number of service organizations including treasurer of Pomona Rotary Club and a trustee for Cal Poly Associates. He is also on the board of directors at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and American Red Cross in addition as a trustee of Pomona Valley Hospital Foundation. Bernstein is past president of the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, California Jaycee Foundation and serves as a member of LeRoy Haynes Finance committee and city of Pomona investment committee. His firm was named Small Business of the Year in 1996 and he was awarded Pomona’s Community Service Award in 2001. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and a native of Phoenixville, Penn.
Richard Crean
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1997
Rich Crean was LACFA chairman of the board 2008-2012, having served as vice chairman 2002-07. He was named director emeritus in 2013. He is vice chair of The Learning Centers at Fairplex and serves on several TLC committees. He is retired CEO of Averbeck Company Insurance Brokers and currently a senior financial advisor with California Financial Partners in Glendale. Crean is a member of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Foundation Board and Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Board. Crean served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Board of the National Orange Show during the 1990s, grows olives and produces olive oil.
Robert Dukes
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Robert Dukes was named Fair director in 2003 and director emeritus in 2015. He currently serves on the hall of fame committee, Claremont community committee, as a board member of The Learning Centers at Fairplex, and is a member of several TLC committees. He is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge and formerly had a private law practice. Dukes served as Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney from 1976-1981. He is a member of the board of directors at Haynes Family of Programs Center for Families and Children in La Verne. He is also a former Adjunct Law Professor at University of La Verne Law School. Dukes earned a B.A. from University of Redlands and a Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law. He is a native of Pomona, Calif.
Juan Gamboa
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Juan Gamboa became a Fair director in 1993 and named director emeritus in 2011. He is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Real Estate and retired from special sales and leasing at Citrus Motors Ford in Ontario. He serves on the LACFA emeritus outreach committee and is former president of Gamboa Enterprises Inc. He is also past president and current member of Pomona Kiwanis Club; served as 1987 lieutenant governor for Division 15 of Kiwanis International; board member 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. Gamboa holds an accounting degree from Escuela de Ensenanzas Especialis No. 24 in Tijuana.
Sue Hyland
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Sue Hyland became a director in 2009 and was named director emerita in 2015. She serves on The Learning Centers board. She previously served on the Capital Campaign Cabinet for the Child Development Center, celebrating the results of the Center’s first capital campaign, with donations of more than $2 million. She is owner and chairman of the board of The Claremont Club; and, named Business Woman of the Year in 2002-03 and awarded Claremont Chamber’s nationally recognized Athena Award. She served on Foundation Board at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and on the board of Claremont Red Cross.
Linda Keagle
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Linda Keagle was named a Fair director in 2003 and director emerita in 2015. She is chair of the Hall of Fame Committee, a member of LACFA investment committee, vice chair of the community committee and co-chair of the Upland community committee, and is a member of the MSCA Art Advisory committee. She has served as a judge in the Fair’s Creative department and the Wines of the World packaging design competition. Linda is a restaurateur and an owner and founder of Cask ‘n Cleaver restaurants and also owns the historic Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. She was named a Woman of Distinction in the California 63rd Assembly District in 2006 and Entrepreneur of the Year by the Riverside Press Enterprise in 2011. Linda is a former grower of wine grapes. She currently farms 8 acres of avocados in Upland. She has served on the board of the Upland Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Governors of Webb Schools. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Upland. Linda is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and is a native of Evanston, IL.
Arthur Ludwick
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Art Ludwick was named Chairman of the Board in January 2012, having served as a Fair Director since 2002 and named Director Emeritus in 2014. He is currently Chairman of The Learning Center Board at Fairplex. He also serves on the Glendora community committee. He is retired Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Rain Bird Corporation and currently serves on its Board of Directors as non-executive Chairman of the Board. He is a member of Glendora Kiwanis and Chairman Emeritus of Foothill Hospital Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Citrus Valley Health partners. He formerly served as Chairman of the Glendora Parks and Recreations Commission. He is a graduate of Stanford University, earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Civil Engineering Administration. He and wife Sarah were named Citizens of the Year by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce in 1987 and were honored at the 2004 LA County Fair Premiere Party for their many years of community service and dedication to education.
Stephen Morgan
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Bio Coming Soon
J. Michael Ortiz
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Michael Ortiz was named Director in 2011, Vice Chairman of the Board in January 2012 and Chairman of the Board in 2014. He served as chairman of the board and interim president and CEO of the LACFA until a permanent replacement was named following Jim Henwood’s retirement in 2016. Now retired, he was the fifth President of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, a position he held since August 2003. He serves on several board committees including By-laws, Visioning and Pomona Blue Ribbon Committee. He continues in an advisory role at Cal Poly Pomona on agriculture and education. He is currently teaching a leadership course and the Palm Desert campus of Cal State University San Bernardino.
Janet Paulson
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 1982
Janet Paulson was named Fair director in 1992 and director emerita in 2003. Served as Chair PVHMC Foundation, Chair Hillcrest Board of Directors and currently serves as director on PVHMC, IVHP and VNA Hospice and Palliative Care of Southern California boards. Paulson also serves as an Ambassador Volunteer and CDC Auction committee member.
James Piatt
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1975
James Piatt was named Fair director in 1981 and director emeritus in 2003. He retired as full-time Superior Court judge in 1993, where he served since 1984. He practiced law until 1971 before teaching business law and ethics courses at Cal Poly Pomona and University of La Verne Law School. He served on LeRoy Haynes board of trustees; is past president of Pomona Rotary Club; and member of California Judges Association. Piatt is a graduate of Pomona College and UCLA Law School.
Larry Rinehart
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1995
Larry Rinehart served as a Fair director from 2002 to 2009, named director emeritus in 2009. He retired as president and CEO of the New York Stock Exchange listed PFF Bank & Trust in 2006. Prior to retirement, Rinehart served on many local and national boards including president of the La Habra Neighborhood Association, president of the Pomona Downtown Business group, Chairman of the Pomona Valley chapter of the American Red Cross, Chairman of the Old Baldy Boy Scouts of America, member and treasurer of the board of trustees of the University of La Verne, board member Casa Colina Hospital, member of the board of trustees of Cal Poly Pomona Development Foundation, board member of the California Bankers Association and the United States Bankers Association, board member of the Inland Empire United Way, and several other local civic organizations. Rinehart earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of La Verne and was selected for their President’s Award in 1996.
John Solomon
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2006
Bio Coming Soon
Jil Stark
Director Emerita
Joined Fair Association: 1979
Jil Stark served on the Los Angeles County Fair Association board of directors from 2002 to 2010. She joined the Association in 1979 and was named director emerita in 2010. She currently is a member of The Learning Centers board, chairs CTEC steering committee and sits on The Reed Art Board. She has served on a number of committees including chair of the Fairplex Education Foundation; community committees; Big Yellow Bus program; and FairKids Field Trips program. She is a member of Curtain Raisers of the Claremont Colleges, the Foothill Philharmonic, The Napier Council at Pilgrim Place and Campus Women of the Claremont Colleges. Stark is the former director of Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum at Claremont McKenna College and former lecturer and dean of freshman at Scripps College, Claremont. She has served on the Board of Trustees at Scripps College, was moderator of United Church of Christ, and was a founding board member of Claremont Community Foundation. She also served on the committee on aging, on the board of Mt. San Antonio Gardens, and on the board of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. She was born in Tokyo, Japan.
Ronald Vera
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2001
Ronald Vera was named Fair director in 2002 and director emeritus in 2014. He is an attorney and partner in the law firm of Vera & Barbosa in Claremont. He served on the LACFA’s investment and audit committee and La Verne Blue Ribbon committee. He is a former adjunct professor of law at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Law and serves on the board of Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and the California Community Foundation and the California Consortium of Education Foundation. He earned a B.S. from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate law degree from UCLA and is a native of Pomona, Calif.
Reginald Webb
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Reggie Webb was named Fair director in 1997, named vice chair in 2007 and director emeritus in 2012. He is owner/operator of 12 McDonald’s restaurants in the Pomona area with the latest acquisition opened June 1, 2001, in La Puente where Webb was employed by McDonald’s more than 20 years ago. He is 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, after beginning his career with McDonald’s in 1973, working his way from manager trainee to regional vice president. He 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; and is a member of 100 Black Men. He served in United States Coast Guard. The Webbs were honored at the 2006 L.A. County Fair Premiere Party for their philanthropy and community service.
Association Members
Ray Adamyk
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Rachel Barbosa
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2020
Bio Coming Soon
Michael Beckman
Director Emeritus
Joined Fair Association: 2018
Bio Coming Soon
Jon Blickenstaff
Life Member 2015
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Jon Blickenstaff is the former mayor of La Verne. He serves as chair of Inland Empire Regional Composting Authority. He is retired from 35 years in public education in the Azusa Unified School District as a teacher, assistant principal and principal for 27 years. He serves on several CTEC committees including as chair of AXC and CTEC Automotive Arts Advisors Committee and CTEC agriculture advisory committee. Blickenstaff is a graduate of University of La Verne and University of California, Los Angeles where he earned a master’s degree. He is a lifelong resident of La Verne.
Ronald Bolding
Life Member 2012
Joined Fair Association: 2012
Bio Coming Soon
Laura Bollinger
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Laura Bollinger is a volunteer and supporter of the Millard Sheets Gallery at the fair. She is a long-time community volunteer, and has served on many boards locally, including Friends of the Claremont Library, Curtain Raisers of the Claremont Colleges and St. Lucy’s Parent Club. She was formerly on the board for LA County Library Foundation. Currently, she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Citrus College. She belonged to 4-H as a child, entering in fabric arts and showing chickens at the LA County Fair. Bollinger is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in human resources.
Charles Cable
Life Member 2014
Joined Fair Association: 2005
Chuck Cable is retired president and chief executive officer of Brethren Hillcrest Homes. He serves on the TLC board and on several committees and is a member of the La Verne community committee. He is a member of La Verne Rotary and the University Club of Claremont. He also serves on the board of San Gabriel/Pomona Valley Chapter American Red Cross and on University of La Verne’s School of Business advisory board. Cable earned a bachelor’s degree from University of La Verne and a master’s degree from UCLA School of Public Health.
Peter Clifford
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
Peter was named the fourth president of the National Hot Rod Association in 2015, having joined NHRA in 1997. Clifford plays a major role in the development and execution of NHRA’s strategic planning, as well as the organization’s current growth initiatives. He was also responsible for streamlining the business relationship between NHRA and its national event facilities.
Soraya Coley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2015
Soraya Coley was named the sixth president of Cal Poly Pomona in 2015 and is the first woman to serve in that role. Coley has more than 25 years of academic and administrative experience and is dedicated to creating access and opportunity to those who are the least likely to afford that an education is possible. She is often referred to as “community minded” and is recognized as building bridges between the university and the community through her service, her research and her work as an administrator.
Reyna Del Haro
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2018
Bio Coming Soon
Scott Dilley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2009
Scott Dilley is president of Sanders Towing and Lock & Key Inc. He served on the board of directors for San Dimas Chamber of Commerce and served as commissioner city of San Dimas development plan review board. He was also treasurer for San Dimas Sheriff’s Booster Club and chairman for San Dimas Birthday BBQ. Dilley is a member of FairKids committee and the San Dimas Day at the Fair community committee. He was honored by San Dimas Chamber of Commerce as 2005 Businessman of the Year and 2008 Citizen of the Year.
Matt Donovan
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Jimmy Espinoza
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2006
Jimmy Espinoza is president and managing partner of De Oro Properties LLC, a multi-million dollar real estate services firm in Ontario, recognized as one of the largest Hispanic-owned firms in the IE. He is president of Inland Valley Assn. of Realtors. He was awarded Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, as one of the top 10 Hispanic entrepreneurs in the nation. He established the Espinoza Scholarship Fund to assist students finish their education. Espinoza served as a U.S. Army flight engineer flying more than 1,000 hours on combat missions in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star. He is a graduate of University of California earning a degree in business administration.
Jeffrey Fairley
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2011
Jeff Fairley is owner and principal treating therapist at The Body Center Physical Therapy in Claremont. He serves on a number of committees and boards within the area. He earned a doctoral degree from University of Southern California and his residency and post graduate education at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles.
Gerald Freeny
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2020
Bio Coming Soon
Glenn Gritzner
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Beverly Guidry
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2022
Bio Coming Soon
Jimmy Gutierrez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Jimmy Gutierrez is an attorney in Claremont and a partner in the Law Offices of Gutierrez & Vera. He has been Chino’s city attorney since 1975. He serves on the board of the Children’s Museum; Chino Boxing Club; Kiwanis, Rotary and Chino Valley YMCA. He is a graduate of Pomona College with a bachelor of arts degree in government and earned a Juris Doctor from UCLA Law School. Gutierrez is a Pomona native with fond recollections of attending the L.A. County Fair each year.
Roger Hanawalt
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Roger Hanawalt is a longtime La Verne resident and dentist, in practice since 1980. He serves on La Verne’s Community Committee and the CDC finance committee. He is also chairman of fundraising for Bonita High School and is a longtime chairman and director of Inland Valley High School All-Star Games for La Verne Rotary. Hanawalt earned a bachelor of arts degree from University of La Verne and doctor of dentistry surgery from Emory University.
Thomas Hseih
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2010
Bio Coming Soon
Len Jessup
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Gorden Kao
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2018
Bio Coming Soon
Don Kendrick
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2003
Don Kendrick serves on the TLC board and on several committees. He is a member of the La Verne community committee; 11-year-president of La Verne Friends of 4th of July committee; member La Verne Senior Advisory committee; member La Verne-Bonita Unified School District Liason committee; member La Verne University. He is a past member of the La Verne planning commission; 28-year-member of La Verne SOLVE/Historical Society including 3 years as president; 21-year-member of La Verne Youth and Family Action Committee; first vice president of the PVHMC Foundation; and chair of the PVHMC community committee. Kendrick is founder and president of Hands-On History grade school program with Bonita Unified School District. He is owner of Don Kendrick Real Estate in La Verne.
Chris Kersting
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2013
Kersting is president of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) since 2002. He represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry, which provides government affairs advocacy at the federal and state level and is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry.
Patrick Leier
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Patrick Leier is a retired superintendent of Pomona Unified School District and currently an education consultant. He serves as commissioner of Technology in Education for California commission. He pioneered the Educational Village Construct, a nationally recognized model to meet the needs of students and the community. He is chairman of Pomona Valley Educational Foundation and the Pomona Valley Educational Joint Powers Authority; and chairman of YMCA United Way Campaign. Leier was recipient of the 2003 American Association of School Administrators’ President’s Technology Award. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton.
Felice Loverso
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Felice Loverso is president and CEO of Casa Colina Inc. He serves as chairman of the board of directors for American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in speech pathology from the University of Colorado.
Daniel Manning
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Dan Manning is group vice president of Coca-Cola USA and responsible for sales and marketing organization of CC Fountain for 12 western states. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University.
Robert Mendez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2006
Mendez is Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Whittier College. He serves on boards of Hispanic National Bar Foundation and Imagen Foundation. Mendez received a bachelor of arts degree from Pomona College and Juris Doctorate from University of California, Davis School of Law.
Iris Patronite
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2012
Patronite is a senior redevelopment manager with more than 13 years of experience contributing to the economic growth of two Inland Empire communities. Iris has worked with several organizations, including Downtown Farmers Market, Discover Upland and Youth Leadership Program. She serves on the CTEC Junior Fair board advisors committee.
Enrique Rodriguez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2022
Bio Coming Soon
Rodri Rodriguez
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Rodri Rodriguez is president and CEO of Rodri Entertainment Group; a motivational speaker; executive producer, director and host of MARIACHI USA; and chairman of the board of trustees of the Hollywood Arts Council. Rodriguez is also a member of the Grammy Foundation National Education Advisory; Ford Theatre Foundation Latino Advisory Board; UNICEF Leadership Committee; National History Museum Advisory Council; and an instructor for the UCLA Extension Program. She is a native of Havana, Cuba.
Lupita Sanchez-Cornejo
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Michael Smith
Life Member 2004
Joined Fair Association: 1992
Mike Smith is a retired attorney with firm of Nichols, Stead, Boileau and Kostoff APC. He served on the L.A. County Fair Claremont Community Committee; and as director and trustee for Pomona Valley Cemetery Association. He is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona and University of California Hastings College of Law.
Royce Stutzman
Life Member 2007
Joined Fair Association: 1990
Royce Stutzman is chairman of Vicenti, Lloyd and Stutzman. He serves on the L.A. County Fair La Verne community committee. He is a member of American Institute of CPAs, California Society of CPAs, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts and American Society of Appraisers. Stutzman is a graduate of University of La Verne.
Joshua Swodeck
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2018
Bio Coming Soon
Emmett Terrell
Life Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Bio Coming Soon
Edward Tessier
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2004
Edward Tessier is the director of Designs for Independence since 1989. He is also a consultant for numerous organizations on ADA and urban planning issues. He is president of JEVED Management, an urban real estate firm and helped design and develop Pomona Arts Colony and Emporia Arts District in downtown Ontario. He serves on the CTEC steering committee. He is president and founder of School of Arts and Enterprise, a State of California charter high school serving the IE and a trustee and educator at Western University for Health Sciences. Tessier serves on the advisory board of Center for Disability and is a guest lecturer on disability, cultural arts and economic development. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Pomona College, graduating summa cum laude.
Gary L. Thomas
Life Member 2010
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Gary Thomas served as director of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and as 2002-03 Tournament of Roses president. He worked for Southern California Gas Company until his retirement in 1997; is active in Pasadena Optimists Club; and is a member of the Telecommunications Association. He serves as keeper for L.A. County Sheriff Departments Court Services. Thomas is a graduate of University of New Mexico.
Sharon Tomkins
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2019
Bio Coming Soon
Ronald Vander Molen
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Ron Vander Molen is owner of Vander Molen Fine Art Gallery in Pasadena, as well as Vander Molen Estate Liquidations here in Pomona. He serves on LACFA Pomona community committee; and TLC Art Center Advisory Committee; and boards of Pomona Heritage Society and Fairplex Friends. He is a past President of the Ganesha Hills Homeowners Association, is a former City of Pomona Planning Commissioner, and has served on several other boards throughout the City of Pomona. He is a member of the Pomona Rotary Club, California Art Club and Historic Council Collections.
Mark Warren
Association Member
Joined Fair Association: 2002
Mark Warren is owner and operator of Mark Warren Realty and Investments, specializing in residential property management and is a licensed general contractor. He is the recipient of 2004 Pomona Valley YMCA P. George Kostoff Award. He is an active member of Pomona Valley YMCA for 30 years, serving as director and chairman of the organization and is currently on the board of directors for Pomona YMCA, Pomona Chamber of Commerce and PVHMC Foundation. Warren is a member of Pomona Kiwanis Club. He attended Pomona public schools, Mt. Sac and Cal Poly Pomona.