Big Fresno Fair Begins Search for New CEO to Succeed Alkire

The Big Fresno Fair Board of Trustees is in search of a new CEO to lead Fresno’s biggest entertainment event and the state’s fourth-largest fair.

John Alkire now leads the fair’s nonprofit arm. (Big Fresno Fair)

The last CEO was John Alkire, who retired in September 2020 during the pandemic and moved over to the fair’s nonprofit, Friends of the Big Fresno Fair, to focus on fundraising efforts.

After Alkire’s departure, deputy managers Stacy Rianda and Lauri King were appointed by the fair board to oversee all fair operations as an interim leadership team. In 2020, the fair was pared down to a drive-thru event because of the pandemic, but last year the fair returned to in-person.

This year’s fair is scheduled to run Oct. 5-16.

Pay Range Is $10,000 to $12,300 Monthly

The CEO’s monthly pay will range from $10,064 to $12,336, and benefits will include health, dental, and vision insurance, annual leave, life insurance, and retirement benefits.

(Wink, wink: The announcement does not specify whether benefits also include all-you-can-eat cinnamon rolls, Deep-Fried Nutter Butters, and burritos).

The fair is operated through the 21st District Agricultural Association, and board members are appointed by the governor.

The board is working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fairs & Expositions Branch on the application process.

Click here for the CEO application, or to apply for any other Big Fresno Fair job. For more information on the CEO job, contact the CEO Search Committee at ceorecruitment@fresnofair.com.