Kentucky State Fair Board names new president/CEO

Former president left in March

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 11, 2016) — The Kentucky State Fair Board voted today to hire Jason Rittenberry as its next president and CEO. Rittenberry currently serves as the chief strategy officer for Circuit of The Americas.

Rittenberry replaces former president and CEO Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe who left in March to be CEO of the San Diego Convention Center.

A five-member search committee was appointed by KSFB chairman Mark Lynn in May. The committee worked with Minnesota-based executive search firm SearchWide to narrow down the national list of candidates.

“Jason Rittenberry’s background and proven success will be a tremendous asset to the Kentucky State Fair Board,” said Secretary Don Parkinson, “I am confident that his strong leadership will bring progress and growth to the organization.”

The fair board manages the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville.  It also produces the Kentucky State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show, North American International Livestock Exposition and Kentucky Hoopfest.