Iowa State Fair Announces New CEO and Fair Manager

There's a new face of the great Iowa State Fair, and with that obviously becomes a desire to maintain the legacy and blaze new trails.

That's exactly what the fair's new CEO and manager Jeremy Parsons plans to do. Last week, Parsons was announced as the successor to Gary Slater, who has held the Iowa State Fair's top position since 2001. Slater announced his retirement last October, and Parsons will effectively take the reigns in March 2023.

Parsons worked with the Clay County Fair in Spencer, IA, and according to a press release issued by the Iowa State Fair, he couldn't be more excited to take over for Slater and maintain the greatness that is the state's flagship summer event:

It is an honor to have been chosen to serve as caretaker for one of Iowa's most beloved institutions. The Iowa State Fair holds a special place in my heart and I am humbled to join the team responsible for building upon the Fair's rich heritage and traditions.

Parsons has more than 30 years of fair experience, dating all the way back to his early years as a seasonal employee at the Iowa State Fair as well as a volunteer at his hometown county fair in Leon, IA. He was the CEO and manager of the Clay County Fair in Spencer from 2011 to 2022, and and prior to that, he was the executive director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation.

Northwest District Board member and current President of the Iowa State Fair Board Darwin Gaudian expressed nothing but excitement for Parsons being named Slater's successor:

We could not be more excited to announce the transition of CEO and Fair Manager to Jeremy Parsons. His long list of fair credentials, his community involvement, his leadership skills and his passion for the fair industry are the perfect combination to lead the Iowa State Fair into the future.

Parsons has a B.A. degree in English from Southwest Baptist University and a M.A. degree in education from William Woods University.

This year, the Iowa State Fair starts on August 10th and concludes on August 20th. Read more about Jeremy Parsons being named the new Iowa State Fair CEO and Manager on the fair's official website.