The Orange County Fair & Event Center board on Friday approved the hiring of a new chief executive officer following a five-month national search.
Kathy Kramer will start her new new on Jan. 5. She’ll succeed Doug Lofstrom, who was retired but came back to run the fair on an interim basis.
“I look forward to collaborating with staff, stakeholders and the board to drive innovation and build upon the long history and vitality of the organization,” Kramer said. “It’s exciting to be part of an organization that has so many possibilities ahead.”
Kramer’s most recent job was as vice president of business operations for Northlands, an events center in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Before that, Kramer was deputy director of the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues; vice president of convention sales and marketing for Century Link Center in Omaha; Midwest regional director of sales and marketing for Six Continents Hotels and Resorts; and director of sales and marketing for Harrah’s Casino and Hotel.
Lofstrom took over for Jerome Hoban in April 2013 when he accepted a job with the Alameda County Fair. Lofstrom was not in the running for the permanent post.
Lofstrom worked for the fair when it posted its record for attendance in 2011. Last year, the fair drew 1.3 million visitors for its 23-day run, about the same as last year, the second highest since the annual attraction began in 1890.
Lofstrom will stay on with the county to help Kramer with the transition.
— City News Service