Clay County Fair names new leader

Fair industry veteran Jerome Hertel has been named the next CEO/Manager of the Clay County Fair Association.

Hertel will succeed Jeremy Parsons, who is leaving the Clay County Fair & Events Center after nearly 12 years of service to become CEO/manager of the Iowa State Fair.

"[Jerome] brings with him years of fair experience, a solid management reputation and a strong financial background," Clay County Fair Board of Directors Chairman Steve Waller said in a news release. "Originally from the Midwest, Jerome understands the reputation of 'The World's Greatest County Fair' and will continue to grow and expand the fair."

Hertel has 24 years of upper-level management experience in the fair industry, most recently as CEO of the Alaska State Fair since 2014. His experience with county, state and non-profit fairs also includes stints as the operations director of the Sioux Empire Fair (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and executive director of the South Dakota State Fair from 2008-2014.

"I have always found joy in bringing people together to be educated, to be entertained, to connect with one another, and to celebrate as a community," he said.

Growing up in the Midwest across the street from the Turner County (S.D.) Fairgrounds, Hertel developed a passion for fairs early on.

"My greatest memories growing up included setting up carnival rides, working in the church stand and taking in every day of the fair that I could," he said.

After graduating from the University of South Dakota with a degree in business management, Hertel started a career in the food and beverage industry with a large sports arena in Houston, Texas. He later became the food and beverage director for the Sioux Falls Arena and Convention Center in the 1990s before moving into the fair industry in 1999.

He and his wife, Stephanie, have two grown children and five grandchildren. Hertel's first day on the job will be April 17.