MADERA – After nearly 20 years as the Madera District Fair’s chief executive officer (CEO), Scott Sample has announced he will be retiring in April of this year. As CEO, Sample has managed the complete operation of the fairgrounds, including its annual four-day fair, 200-plus events each year, a very successful flea market, a race track and a lease agreement for the 27-acre shopping center located on the fairgrounds property.
The shopping center lease agreement is perhaps the most notable accomplishment of Sample’s 20-year leadership role at the Madera District Fair. It was an extremely complex project that took over six years to finalize and remains to be the only partnership of its kind between a state fairgrounds and the private sector.
When asked about the government / private partnership Sample said, “Our team is perhaps most proud of this endeavor because there hasn’t been any other fair that has taken on a partnership of this magnitude. Most importantly, the shopping center has given the fair financial security for years to come. Not to mention it has helped create local jobs and provide tax revenue for the city.”
Sample is a born and raised Valley native. From an early age, he had a passion for flying, which lead him to reporting traffic from the air as “Captain Scotty” on local radio stations: KMJ 580 AM and KSKS 93.7 FM. In fact, even when Sample became CEO of the fairgrounds in 1995, he continued to deliver traffic reports from the sky in the early morning hours before heading to work at the Madera District Fair.
It’s this same level of work ethic that is likely the reason why Sample says he isn’t looking to necessarily retire completely when he leaves the fair in April. While he doesn’t have any definite plans, Sample is excited and open to other business opportunities.
“My time at the fair was great,” said Sample. “It gave me the opportunity to learn so many different aspects of business, such as commercial development, negotiating contracts, the entertainment industry, organizing large events and more. I’m proud of our accomplishments – especially knowing that when I first started here, we were struggling monetarily and now we’re financially solvent”.
Sample has worked alongside numerous staff members and board members over the years to ensure the fairgrounds continue to improve year after year. As a priority, Sample and his team secured opportunities that would not only benefit the fairgrounds, but the community as a whole.
“Everyone at the Madera District Fair will surely miss Scott’s presence as he leaves us to embark on the next chapter in his life,” said Madera District Fair Board President Patty Manfredi. “The past and present board members have worked alongside Scott as he successfully brought us through challenges and opportunities. His dedication and determination has upgraded our fairgrounds and what it can offer throughout the year. The successful shopping center development is one of a kind for California fairgrounds. And we are grateful for Scott’s 20 years of dedicated accomplishments.”
