The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors proudly proclaim April as Arab American Heritage Month
The OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors proudly proclaim April as Arab American Heritage Month. This special declaration was presented to Rima Nashashibi in recognition of her longstanding leadership and impactful advocacy on behalf of women and girls, both locally and globally. Nashashibi, Founder and President of Global Hope 365, has led efforts […]
Martha Sanchez Cannady appointed to OC Fair Board
Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Martha Sanchez Cannady, of Cypress, to the OC Fair Board, formally known as the 32nd District Agricultural Association, Orange County Fair Board. She is a wealth management advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Seal Beach, having joined the firm in 2008. With more than 35 years of financial services […]
OC Fair Board 2026 committee assignments
Leadership Committee Chair Bagneris (committee chair), Vice Chair Ruiz Purpose: This committee provides executive support to the Board and acts on behalf of the full Board during emergency situations. Focus: • Consult with CEO • Develop Board meeting agendas • Address Board issues • Conduct annual safety/security meeting • Initiate strategic planning • Complete the […]
Barbara Bagneris elected as OC Fair Board Chair
COSTA MESA (Oct. 23, 2025) – At today’s meeting, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors named Barbara Bagneris as Chair and Robert Ruiz as Vice Chair to serve as Board leadership in 2026. Bagneris leaves her role as Vice Chair to take the Board’s lead position and has also previously served as […]
OC Fair Board names James Canfield as new CEO
COSTA MESA (June 16, 2025) – The OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) Board of Directors announced today that James Canfield is OCFEC’s new Chief Executive Officer. Canfield brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in venue management, live events and large-scale projects. Most recently, he served as Senior Director and General Manager of […]
OC Fair CEO Michele Richards announces her retirement
After more than 20 years of service at OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC), top executive Michele Richards has announced that she will retire this spring prior to the 2025 OC Fair. She was appointed as CEO by the Board of Directors in December 2019 and led the state agency through several key projects, including […]
OC Fair Board Chair Kovacevich to lead again in 2025
At today’s meeting, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors again named Nick Kovacevich as Chair and Barbara Bagneris as Vice Chair to serve as Board leadership in 2025. The Board has taken on significant projects in the past year and the nominating committee noted the importance of continuity in asking the current […]
OC Fair & Event Center unveils plans for The Ranch Community Center
OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) is excited to unveil the latest expansion of its community give-back programs at its reimagined equestrian center, now called The Ranch Community Center. The Board embraced a bold new vision and operating model for the property in January, focusing on broad community access, education, accredited equine-assisted therapy and free […]
OC Fair Board of Directors Declare May Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
On May 23, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors proudly proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month. This special declaration was received by A.G. Kawamura. A.G. Kawamura is as a third-generation fruit and vegetable grower and shipper in Orange County, former Secretary of the California Department of Food […]
OC Fair & Event Center Administration Groundbreaking Ceremony
OC Fair & Event Center embarked on a momentous journey with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Administration Building expansion, phase 1 of the 10-phase Master Site Plan. With shovels in hand, representatives from California Construction Authority, Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc. and LPA Design Studios symbolically dug into the soil, paving the way for innovative growth and […]