Interim fair director takes permanent job

Kinney in November stepped out of retirement to fill the temporary role, following the earlier-than-expected retirement of previous manager Pat Lloyd. Kinney previously spent 30 years as director of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

Also new to the center’s team is Assistant Manager Nancy Bright, according to a center news release. She worked as commercial exhibits director and event coordinator for the venue from 1999 to 2006. She received her Certified Fair Executive designation in 2006 from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

The center is home to the Ozark Empire Fair, this year scheduled for July 25–Aug. 3. Suggestions for this year’s grandstand acts at the fair are being taken; send an e-mail to info@ozarkempirefair.com.