Buckeye Native Returns to Ohio to Lead Fair

Posted:

David F. Grimm has been hired as General Manager of the Allen County Fair (ACF), Lima, Ohio. He previously was General Manager of the Champlain Valley Exposition (CVE), Essex Junction, Vermont.

He succeeds Jay Begg, who will become an Allen County Commissioner in November, 2012. Begg has been manager of the Fair for 17 years.

In making the announcement, Dan Bowman, president of the Allen County Agricultural Society, promoters of the Fair, said Grimm was the number one candidate because of his experience in fairs, special events, marketing and leadership. "We're excited to have Dave joining us in Allen County. His experience with fairs and expositions will help us grow the Fair and improve the year round capabilities of the fairgrounds".

A native of Oak Harbor, Ohio, Grimm is well known nationally in fairs and exposition affairs. During his tenure in Vermont, he transformed the CVE into one of New England finest special events facilities and generated considerable economic development for Vermont, increasing Exposition events from 8 to 120 a year with improved facilities and staffing.

Grimm has been active in national and regional fair and exposition affairs including serving as director of the International Association of Fairs and Exposition, president of the Vermont Agricultural Fair Association and catalyst of the annual Vermont/New Hampshire regional fair meeting.

Grimm is well known to many Ohioans, formerly as Executive Director of the National Tractor Pullers Association and as a television commentator and announcer for many motorsport events.

Grimm said the opportunity to return to his native state and continue the traditions and development of the Allen County Fairgrounds and annual Fair appealed to him. "The Allen County Fair is the third largest in Ohio and the improvements and developments of the operations and facilities have shown the ACF is a leader in the state. I like the board of director's forward thinking. They want to get better and improve the physical plant and programming. Their aim is to help the community and the overall economic activity of Allen County. Jay Begg has done a great job managing the plant and all of the events".

The Allen County Fair attracts approximate 100,000 customers in late August and another 250,000 patrons to other special events throughout the year, making it one of western Ohio's best used facilities.

Grimm is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a member of the President's Club. He and his wife, Debra have a son Paul who lives with wife Elizabeth in Scottsdale, Arizona and daughter Mary who resides in New York City.

Grimm assumes his new position October 1, 2012.