Fairgrounds GM to retire

Ozark Empire Fairgrounds General Manager Elvin Dunn has informed the Ozark Empire Fair Board of Directors of his intention to retire, effective Oct. 31. The board already has selected a Paul Mueller Co. veteran as Dunn's successor.

Dunn, who will stay on as general manager emeritus through the end of the year, was selected as the fair's general manager in September 2008.

“Elvin has taken us to another level,” said Tom Kissee, president of the fair's board of directors, in a news release. “We hear positive feedback concerning cleanliness, the overall look of the fairgrounds and improvements in the livestock facilities.

"He did exactly what we asked him to do, and he remains a fabulous ambassador for the fairgrounds."

Aaron Owen, who has worked for 33 years at Mueller Co., has been tapped to succeed Dunn, effective Nov. 1. Owen most recently was president of Mueller Transportation Inc. and Mueller Field Operations Inc. He also has served on the fair's board of directors since 2007 and has volunteered at the fair assisting livestock exhibitors, the release said.

Prior to becoming the fair's general manager, Dunn was accounting manager/controller at Litton Industries in Springfield for 26 years and manager of the Republic License Bureau for 10 years, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. He currently operates a 400-acre cattle farm.

The 2012 Ozark Empire Fair runs July 27-Aug. 4.