Our Board of Trustees
After serving the Minnesota State Fair for forty-five plus (45+) years, most recently as Deputy General Manager, Jim Sinclair has transitioned to serving the exposition as its Midway & Attractions Coordinator. During his tenure at the fair, Jim has had numerous management responsibilities and undertaken multiple program and operational initiatives on behalf of the exposition, including management of the fair's concession, exhibit, and attraction operations, implementation and oversight of its independent carnival midway, administration of non-fair events and facility utilization, and management of the exposition's Sales Division, Facilities, Purchasing, and Events Groups. A native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Jim Sinclair began his career in the exposition industry with the Northern Wisconsin State Fair (Chippewa Falls) at the age of 15, where he continued to work until after graduation from college at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Sinclair has played an active industry role as an IAFE Zone Director (1991 and 1992), board member and Chairman of the Board (2011), and in service on several I.A.F.E. committees. He is a Certified Fair Executive, a 2012 graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management, and in 2021, was a recipient of the IAFE Hall of Fame Award. Sinclair is also an honorary life member of the Mid-West Fairs Association, the 2017 Showmen's League of America Hall of Honor recipient, and a 2022 Minnesota State Fair Hall of Fame inductee. Aside from serving as President of the IAFE Education Foundation, Sinclaire also serves as a board member of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association.
Jim Sinclair, CFE
Minnesota State Fair
President
A passionate advocate for the fair industry and education, Jeremy Parsons’ professional life came full circle in March 2023 when he began his tenure as CEO/Manager of the world-renowned Iowa State Fair.
His introduction to fair management began in elementary school with a letter he wrote to then-Iowa State Fair Manager Marion Lucas. Since that moment, his life and fairs have intersected in various ways, even during the 11 years he spent as a high school teacher and coach.
Starting when he was a teen, his nearly 30 years of fair experience has included time as a volunteer at the Decatur County Fair (IA), a seasonal employee at the Iowa and Missouri state fairs, executive director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation, and CEO/Manager of the Clay County Fair (IA).
Parsons served as Chairman of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) in 2022. He is also past president of the Mid-West Fairs Association. In 2022, the Association of Iowa Fairs awarded him the “Fairman of the Year” award.
Originally from Leon, Iowa, he has a B.A. in English from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., and an M.A. in education from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo.
He has four priorities in life, which he attempts to keep in the proper order -- faith, family, the Chicago Cubs, and fairs. He and his wife, Kelsi, have three sons.
Jeremy Parsons, CFE
Iowa State Fair
Trustee
Mitchell Glieber joined the State Fair of Texas in 1999, spending most of his time working with corporate partners developing sponsorship, marketing, and promotional programs, more than tripling sponsorship revenue. Before joining the State Fair, Mitchell spent nearly a decade with the Dallas Mavericks marketing team, serving as the Sales Manager for season and group tickets. Raised in Dallas, Mitchell graduated from Southern Methodist University with a double major in Finance and TV and radio. He served as Captain of the SMU Mustangs football team in 1989 and was chosen as one of only 11 National Football Foundation Scholar Athletes in the country that same year. He is the former President of the SMU Letterman’s Association. He is an active member of the Dallas Salesmanship Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming children’s futures by serving at-risk families in Greater Dallas. Mitchell is the son of nationally known CBS Sportscaster Frank Glieber, who passed away in 1985. Mitchell and his wife, Lisa, are devoted parents to their three children: Thomas, Kaki, and Charlotte.
Mitchell Glieber
State Fair of Texas
Trustee
Pam Shultz strives to be innovative and relevant with her STEM-based interactive attractions, continually researching simple and fun ways to bring science to fairs and festivals in North America. She is respected by her service member peers, fair personnel, and those who have watched her as she has expanded her business. She is recognized for her ability to be flexible, for providing valuable service member insight, and for her leadership within the industry.
She has been a Western Fairs Association (WFA) Board director since 2017. She served on the Search Committee for a new CEO/President. As an IAFE, WFA, and RMAF associate member, she has been on numerous committees: Professional Development, Blue Ribbon Foundation, Convention Programming, and Leadership. She is currently on the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs (RMAF) Board, recently assisting in planning and navigating the cancellation of the 2020 convention due to COVID-19. Pam has been involved with the silent and live auctions, seeking donations and raising funds for scholarships and continuing education.
Pam has been married to her husband, Rob, for 40 years. Rob teaches high school AP Calculus, AP Physics, Chemistry, precalc, and STEM. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and one grandson. Pam and Rob created and began their business in 1995 with Wild Science! Pam's educational attractions have been featured at 19 state fairs in 28 states, 4 Canadian Expositions, Disneyland, and other venues. Due to the high demand for quality interactive attractions, Wizard's Challenge!, Mind Works!, and Science Nest! were added to IG Presents line-up. Pam has used her expertise to develop and grow IG's promotional materials, website, and social media presence.
Pam believes in education and loves learning. She graduated from the IAFE IFM program in 2019. She holds a BS in Journalism and a BA in Public Relations. Before starting IG Presents, she worked at Blue Diamond Almonds in their international division (Europe and the Middle East) as Risk Management for Loma University Medical Center (LLUMC) and as a Service Member Coordinator for LLUMC's self-insured health plan. She is actively involved with Feeding San Diego and has served as a team leader, feeding 650+ families per week.
Pam Shultz
IG Presents, CA
Trustee
Marla Calico is President and CEO of the IAFE, having served on staff since 2006. She is a past chair of the Board (2003) and a Hall of Fame recipient. She spent nearly three decades on the staff of the Ozark Empire Fair, including ten years as the CEO.
Marla Calico, CFE
IAFE
Secretary
Gary Slater has a long history in the fair industry, first as a 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitor while growing up in southeastern Missouri. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Slater served as a livestock supervisor for the Missouri State Fair for five years before moving to the Iowa State Fair, where he raised sponsorships and booked special events, free entertainment, and non-fair events. He later managed the World Pork Expo for six years before the Missouri State Fair pulled him back in 1997. After four years there, Slater was headed back to take the reins of one of the longest-running Fairs in the United States, the Iowa State Fair. In 2022, Slater announced his retirement after 22 years as the CEO and Fair Manager of the Iowa State Fair.
Under his direction, the Iowa State Fair continuously improved buildings and facilities while increasing events and entertainment. Large capital projects of renovation and Construction were completed under his leadership, including the Youth Inn, Cultural Center, Mid-American Energy Stage, Susan Knapp Stage, the 4-H Building, the Grandstand, and the Jacobson Exhibition Center. Also, during Slater’s tenure, the Iowa State Fair hit the million attendee mark in 2002 and consistently grew to a record-breaking 1.17 million attendees in 2019. In 2020, during COVID-19, Slater kept the Iowa State Fair afloat with his keen sense of purpose and diligent budgeting.
Slater has always been active in his community, previously serving on the Board for Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines for nine years and president for 3. Slater regularly attended breakfast business meetings, speaking at numerous neighborhood chambers or club events. He served on the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Board of Directors board for 11 years, serving as Chairman in 2012. Since joining the Fair Industry, he has served on many committees and hosted regional zone meetings.
Slater served as Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer of Catch Des Moines and just completed a two-year term as Chair, winning the Spirit of Des Moines Award at the annual Awards Banquet.
In 2022, Slater was given the highest honor by the IAFE, being inducted into the IAFE Hall of Fame. Slater stated he was both honored and humbled by this recognition from his peers in the Fair Industry. Most recently, he was named to the IAFE Foundation Board.
Gary and his wife Mary have three adult children who grew up on the Fairgrounds during his tenure. Following his recent retirement, they returned to their roots in Missouri, spending more time traveling and making memories with family.
Gary Slater
Friend of the Foundation
Trustee
Miranda Muir, CFE, is the Events and Tourism Manager for the City of Eustis, Florida. Her career started at the Sangamon County Fair in New Berlin, Illinois, where she began volunteering to answer phones in the office at just fourteen years old. Her work with Fair mentor Elizabeth McDevitt allowed her to enroll in the Institute of Fair Management and led her on an incredible journey of growth and excitement. Mirand has served as General Manager of the Tillamook County Fair, Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show & Osceola County Fair, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. She is proud to be a part of the IAFE, previously serving as the YPI and Competitive Exhibits Chairperson. In 2017, Miranda was honored to be named the IAFE's Rising Star in recognition of her dedication to the industry and work promoting agriculture education. She is an lf-proclaimed Fair Junkie, but more importantly, Mom to the three best kids ever; Wrisley and Huxley and Brinkley. Miranda says two things for her success: the support of her friends and family, especially her husband Steve, and industry scholarships, which enabled her to further her "Fair" education.
Miranda Muir, CFE
Friend of the Foundation
Trustee
Alexcia Jordan is the General Manager at the North Idaho State Fair in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Her fair love started long before that as she watched her mom’s career in the Fair Industry and was constantly enlisted to help at many events. She graduated from the IAFE’s Institute of Fair Management in 2018 and is working to receive her CFE. Alexcia currently serves on the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Board of Directors, representing the Northwest District, and is the incoming 2021 Chair of the Non-Fair Facility Committee with the IAFE. She is the proud mother of two great kids, has too many horses, is an active 4-H Leader, and serves on the local Elementary PTU.
Alexcia Jordan, CFE
North Idaho State Fair
Trustee
Steve Siever is the Director of Sales for the IAFE, managing the annual trade show and all sponsorships and advertising sales for the Association.
Steve Siever
IAFE
Treasurer
Shari Black serves as the Executive Director and CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park. Her career began at the Waukesha County Fair in Southeastern Wisconsin, where she worked for nearly 20 years, including 15 as Executive Director. In 2016, Shari served as the Wisconsin Association of Fairs President and IAFE County Fairs Committee Chair. This is also the year she transitioned to Wisconsin State Fair Park as the Senior Director of Event Services. In 2019, she assumed the role of Chief Programming Officer, managing all rides, attractions, agriculture, competitive exhibits, entertainment, and vendor services for the annual Wisconsin State Fair and growing up in Waukesha. Wis., she proudly exhibited livestock at the Waukesha County Fair and Wisconsin State Fair, a tradition she carried on with her three children.
Shari has a bachelor’s degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis., holds a Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation through the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), is a graduate of the association’s Institute of Fair Management (IFM) and has served on numerous committees and boards. She currently sits on the board of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) and the Advisory Committee of the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA). In her current position, Shari oversees a staff of nearly 80 year-round employees, along with approximately 1,200 part-time and seasonal employees. The Wisconsin State Fair has averaged attendance of one million over the past five fairs, and Wisconsin State Fair Park hosts hundreds of public and private events throughout the year at its various facilities.
Shari Black, CFE
Wisconsin State Fair
Trustee
Jo is from Indianola, Iowa. She was a 9-year 4-H member and studied Agricultural Business at Iowa State University. Jo and her husband, Martin, have been married for 38 years. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren. They purchased Jo's family farm - Century Farm, where they raise corn, soybeans, and hay and manage a small cow herd. For 33 years, Jo has owned and been an agent for a Crop and Farm Insurance agency. (so that she can afford this Fair passion that she has.) She is currently and has been the Fair Manager for the Warren County Fair for 24 years.
Jo is a 2012 Institute of Fair Management graduate who completed the IFM Graduate Certifications in Management, Marketing, Leadership, and Entertainment Programming. She is currently enrolled in the Facilities Grad Track. She received her Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation from the IAFE in 2013. In 2017, she was elected as (IAFE) Zone 5 Director, allowing her to serve on the IAFE Board of Directors representing the states of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. This term was completed in December 2020. Jo served as the 2021 Membership Chair and has served on several committees, including the Ag Committee, Membership Committee, Convention Planning Committee, County Fairs Committee, and Safety and Security Committee. Jo has been a presenter at the IAFE Convention. She served on the IAFE Foundation Board in 2020 and was elected to the Iowa State Fair Board of Directors that same year. She is also IAFE's Second Vice Chair. Jo loves the Fair industry and is proud to serve on the IAFE Foundation Board.
Jo Reynolds, CFE
Warren County Fair, IA
Trustee
Andrew Vandepopulier has over 12 years of insurance industry experience and is a producer in our Programs Insurance Division. Andrew comes from a background in claims and sales, allowing him to support his clients in building great programs and mitigating significant exposures. His clients represent Fairs, Festivals, Rodeos, and other Special Events nationwide. He works hard to serve on multiple committees and boards within the industry to facilitate the continued expansion of solid risk management practices for all events. He actively participates in the IAFE Young Professionals Initiative and continues contributing to the Fair and Festival speaker’s panels annually. Andrew also serves as a sponsorship chair for the American Royal Rodeo Committee and assists in the annual rodeo held in October in Kansas City. Andrew has completed the Institute of Fair Management through the IAFE and is wrapping up his CFE through the IFEA. Before coming to Haas & Wilkerson, Andrew Graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Degree in Business Education. He played three years of college baseball at Maple Woods CC and Truman State while on scholarship and continues to be active in all outdoor sports in his downtime.
Andrew Vandepopulier
Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, KS
Trustee