General Manager of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Elvin Dunn, recently announced to the Ozark Empire Fair Board of Directors his retirement from the fair effective October 31, 2012. Dunn has been the fair’s GM since September 2008. Although his retirement date is October 31, Dunn will stay on as General Manager Emeritus through December 31, 2012. Before coming to the fair, Dunn’s career included 26 years as Accounting Manager/Controller at Litton Industries in Springfield and 10 years as Manager of the Republic License Bureau. He has also operated his own private accounting firm and still currently maintains and operates a 400 acre beef cattle operation.
Aaron Owen will replace Elvin Dunn as General Manager on November 1, 2012. Owen joined the fair staff on June 1, 2012 as Incoming General Manager to assist with special projects and events. Aaron Owen has been on the Ozark Empire Fair Board of Directors since 2007 and has spent countless hours volunteering at the Ozark Empire Fair assisting livestock exhibitors. Prior to accepting his new position with the fair, Aaron Owen was on staff at Paul Mueller Company for more than 33 years. Most recently, Owen served as Divisional President of Mueller Service, President of Mueller Transportation and President of Mueller Field Operations.
Just like Elvin Dunn, Aaron Owen is a life-long resident of Greene County and spent many years showing cattle at the Ozark Empire Fair. Owen is a partner in Owen Bros. Cattle Company, LLC consisting of over 300 head of Angus and Simmental (Beef Cattle) Family Operation. He served on the National American Simmental Association Board of Directors located in Bozeman, MT. 2001 thru 2007, was 2005 Chairman of the Publication Board and 2006 Chairman of the American Simmental Board. Owen has been a Board Member of the American Simmental and Simbrah Foundation Board since 2008 and Junior Advisor for Missouri Junior Simmental Association since 1998. He also serves on the Missouri Simmental Board, OTC Center of Workforce Development Advisory Board and is a 4H Alumni member.
“Elvin has taken us to another level,” stated Tom Kissee, Ozark Empire Fair Board President. “We hear positive feedback concerning cleanliness, the overall look of the fairgrounds and improvements in the livestock facilities. The Board of Directors is grateful for Elvin’s dedication to the fair. He did exactly what we asked him to do, and he remains a fabulous ambassador for the fairgrounds. We believe Aaron Owen is an excellent choice to step into the role of General Manager and look forward to putting his years of management experience to work for the Ozark Empire Fair.”
“I would like to thank all of the Ozark Empire Fair sponsors for their support and also thank the news media for their positive coverage during my tenure,” said Elvin Dunn.
The biggest annual local event in the area, the 2012 Ozark Empire Fair begins Friday, July 27 and runs through Saturday, August 4. This year’s entertainment lineup includes Glen Campbell, Dierks Bentley, a special Bluegrass Day, and more. To provide more information about additional changes in exhibits and attractions for the 76th Ozark Empire Fair, including an emphasis on locally grown and prepared food, the Ozark Empire Fair Board of Directors will host a special kick-off event at 10:00 a.m., June 19th in the Fair E*Plex.
For more information about the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and the 2012 Ozark Empire Fair, go to www.ozarkempirefair.com.
