After serving at the helm of Wisconsin State Fair Park as CEO for the past five years, Kathleen O'Leary announced she will be retiring at the end of next month. O'Leary has worked at the facility near Milwaukee for the past 24 years in various management roles, including stints as marketing, sponsorship, and communications director.
"Words can't describe how much I will miss leading the team at Wisconsin State Fair Park and bringing the joy of the Wisconsin State Fair to the people of our great state," O'Leary said. "We have made great strides over the past several years, not just in terms of State Fair attendance, but also in overall guest experience at State Fair Park year-round. I am proud to have been instrumental in ensuring that several large infrastructure projects, including the new Central Mall area, were completed, and know that despite the challenges of the past 18 months, the future is bright at State Fair Park."
O'Leary has been named Milwaukee Business Journal's Woman of Influence in 2017, a Power Broker 2018-2021 and an Executive to Watch in 2021. She also holds a Certified Fair Executive designation from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and has served on several committees and boards throughout her tenure at State Fair Park, including the Governor's Council on Tourism Marketing Committee and the IAFE Board of Directors. She currently sits on the Visit Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation boards of directors, and is an active member of Professional Dimensions and Tempo Milwaukee.
The annual Wisconsin State Fair is considered one of the top 10 fairs in the nation and has garnered numerous industry awards under her leadership.
WSFP Board Chair John Yingling will appoint an interim CEO prior to O'Leary's departure in late October. He will also oversee a special committee to conduct a search for her replacement.
Categories: Wisconsin, Business