The Indiana State Fair Board, which conducts many of the programs and competitions held annually during the annual State Fair, has elected Stan Poe as its new president. He succeeds Steve Simmerman who has served in that role since 2011. Poe’s one-year term begins immediately.
Poe is a Franklin, Ind., sheep producer and has served on the board since 2011. He is also a retired executive from Elanco, an Indianapolis-based global animal health company. Most recently, he has served the board as vice president and for the past three years has been the director of the Fairgrounds Coliseum, Youth Arena and 4H Horse & Pony during the State Fair.
The board also filled its officer positions during its October meeting. Paul Graf, Sellersburg, has been elected to serve as vice president, and Jackie Bell, Avilla, becomes the board secretary. The board also welcomed Carlos Garcia, Indianapolis, as its newest member. Garcia, the Director of Emergency Management and Continuity for IUPUI, was appointed by the Governor’s office to replace Al Polin whose term had expired.
The Indiana State Fair Board is comprised of 17 members – seven elected, seven appointed and 3 ex-officio – who reside throughout Indiana’s seven agricultural districts. It is responsible for conducting the annual Indiana State Fair under the policies and procedures established by the Indiana State Fair Commission.
During the State Fair Commission’s October meeting, the commission unanimously approved Poe’s motion to accept a new governance policy the Fair Board and Fair Commission have been collaborating on for the past several months. The new policy better defines the roles and responsibilities of the individual board members and emphasizes the essential role of the board in conducting the State Fair. Board members are critical advocates for youth, animal agriculture and education during the fair, and are called on to work with commission staff personnel to execute State Fair competitions and events to the highest standards of youth and livestock contests.
Source: Indiana State Fair