Orange County Fair CEO Michele Richards said Tuesday that she will retire this spring before the annual fair in Costa Mesa.
Richards intends to move to Georgia to be more involved in caring for family members, officials said.
“It has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead this organization, to serve the community and to bring so much happiness through the OC Fair, Centennial Farm, Heroes Hall and the many events and festivals that take place all year long,” Richards said in a statement. “It will be so hard to say goodbye to my friends, colleagues and partners who have been so important to me, but I know that (the fair) will be in great hands with solid plans and the financial stability to successfully move forward. It is now time to focus on my family and I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to do so.”
OC Fair board members promoted Richards from interim CEO to the permanent job in December 2019. She had been serving as interim CEO since Oct. 28, 2019, when the board fired Kathy Kramer, who took a similar job as president and general manager of the Central Washington State Fair.
Richards couldn’t oversee a county fair in her first year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the annual gathering returned in 2021 officials decided to cap attendance to adhere to social distancing and to require fairgoers to buy tickets online instead of standing in line at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.
For years, fair officials saw record-breaking crowds, but the feedback from the 2021 fair moved officials to put a cap on daily attendance, Richards said. She said in interviews with City News Service that the less-crowded fair proved to be more attractive to its fans as well as its neighbors.
Before ascending to CEO, Richards was the fair’s vice president of business development for about seven years and was also a consultant for 11 years before joining the full-time staff.
“I’ve been so blessed to be able to lead smart and creative people, harness their ideas into reality and celebrate with them as we bring joy to so many in the community through our entertainment, educational and community support programs,” Richards said.
Richards was also involved in leading a new master site plan for the fairgrounds, which houses events year-round. Part of that plan involves a change in its public access to its stables, which has drawn criticism from some in the equine community. Fair officials are aiming to preserve the space for private boarding and training, but also want more access to the public.
“Michele Richards has left an unforgettable mark on the OC Fair & Event Center,” board chairman Nick Kovacevich said. “Her leadership during challenging times, especially steering us through the global pandemic, exemplified the true essence of resilience and innovation.”
He added that under her term the fair “has not only weathered storms but has emerged stronger, with a business model focused on sustainability, community satisfaction and safety. As Michele steps away to dedicate her time to her family, she leaves behind an organization that is not just surviving but thriving, poised to seize new opportunities with enthusiasm. Her vision, dedication and heartfelt service has been the bedrock of our success.”
Fair officials are in the process of searching for candidates to succeed Richards.