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Board of Trustees

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Jim Sinclair

IAFE Education Foundation 

President

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 oversight 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 currently serving as President of the IAFE Education Foundation, Sinclaire also serves as a board member of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association.

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Marla Calico

IAFE Education Foundation Secretary

Marla Calico is President & 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 10 years as the CEO.

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Steve Siever

IAFE Education Foundation Treasurer

Steve Siever is Director of Sales for the IAFE, managing the annual trade show as well as all sponsorships and advertising sales for the Association.

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Jim Tucker

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

Jim Tucker is President Emeritus of the IAFE, and also serves the Association as legal counsel.  He was the President & CEO of the IAFE from 2000 through 2015.

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Rey O'Day

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

Rey O’ Day is Executive Director of the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA) and Secretary of their Foundation. She is proud to be the 2016 NICA Hall of Fame recipient.  In her early career she performed at State Fairs and later became the owner of Wings of Fame Productions, a training and entertainment production company.  Ms. O’Day spent eighteen years working for Fairplex, home to the LA County Fair.  She held several management roles overseeing operations, retail sales, entertainment and food and beverage services.   After numerous years of teaching Event Management courses, she recently retired from UC-Riverside.  Ms. O’ Day teaches two IFM courses, “The Principles of Food and Beverage” and “Guest Services.”   Aside from her experiences as a performer, manager, executive and teacher, O’ Day brings enthusiasm and high energy to the board.

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Shari Black

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

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 worked for nearly 20 years, including 15 as Executive Director. In 2016 Shari served as the Wisconsin Association of Fairs President and Chair of the IAFE County Fairs Committee. This is also the year she transitioned to Wisconsin State Fair Park, serving 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. Growing up in Waukesha. Wis., she proudly exhibited livestock at both 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. 

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Mitchell Glieber

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

Mitchell Glieber joined the State Fair of Texas in 1999, spending the majority of his time working with corporate partners developing sponsorship, marketing, and promotional programs, more than tripling sponsorship revenue.  Prior to joining the State Fair, Mitchell spent nearly a decade with the Dallas Mavericks marketing team, serving as the organization’s Sales Manager for season and group tickets. Raised in Dallas, Mitchell graduated from Southern Methodist University with a double-major in Finance and TV & 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 and 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 the Greater Dallas area.  Mitchell is son to 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.

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Miranda Muir

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

Miranda Muir, CFE is currently the Events & 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 gave her the opportunity to enroll in the Institute of Fair Management and lead her on an incredible journey of growth and excitement. Miranda 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 both 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 a self-proclaimed Fair Junkie, but more importantly Mom to the three best kids ever; Wrisley and Huxley, and Brinkley.  Miranda credits 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.

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Jo Reynolds

IAFE Education Foundation Trustee

Jo Reynolds

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 38years. 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 graduate of the Institute of Fair Management and has 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 which allowed 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, Safety and Security Committee.  Jo has been a presenter at the IAFE Convention. She began serving on the IAFE Foundation Board beginning in 2020 and was elected to the Iowa State Fair Board of Directors that same year.  She is also IAFE Second Vice Chair.  Jo loves the Fair industry and is proud to serve on the IAFE Foundation Board. 

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Pam Shultz

IAFE Education Foundation 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, providing valuable service member insight, and for her leadership within the industry.

She has been a Director on the Western Fairs Association (WFA) Board since 2017.  During this time, she served on the Search Committee for a new CEO/President.  As an associate member of IAFE, WFA, and RMAF, 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 then navigating the cancellation of the 2020 convention due to COVID19.  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 a variety of 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.  Prior to starting IG Presents, she worked at Blue Diamond Almonds in their international division (Europe and Middle East), Risk Management for Loma University Medical Center (LLUMC), and 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. 

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Alexcia Jordan

IAFE Education 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. 

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Andrew Vandepopulier

IAFE Education Foundation 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 of both claims and sales and this allows him to support his clients in building great programs and mitigating large exposures. His clients represent Fairs, Festivals, Rodeos and other Special Events all around the country. He works hard to serve on multiple committees and boards within the industry to facilitate the continued expansion of strong risk management practices for all types of events. He is an active participant in the IAFE Young Professionals Initiative as well as a continued contributor to the Fair and Festival speaker’s panels annually. Andrew also serves as a sponsorship chair for the American Royal Rodeo Committee and assists it 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. Prior to coming to Haas & Wilkerson Andrew Graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Degree in Business Education. He played 3 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.

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