Harold Workman: Ringmaster of the Fairgrounds
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By early 1974, the show's organizing committee knew an event of this caliber would require a director who could rise to the challenge, a unique individual who knew the state's livestock industry and its leaders, and someone who had a gift for organizing and producing shows. They also needed someone who had a solid reputation for getting the job done right.
Where would they find such a multi-talented individual?

He was right in front of them, a young man already working for the shows and fairs division of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. He was College of Agriculture alum Harold Workman, and the committee quickly hired him to, literally, "run the show."

That was 28 years ago, and Gov. Ford's prediction came true. The North American quickly gained a reputation for excellence, and following the demise of the renowned Chicago Livestock International, it added the word "International" to its title to reflect its worldwide stature. Today, the economic impact of the show on Louisville and the commonwealth is enormous.

And Harold Workman, still getting the job done right, is now president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board, the organization that oversees the North American, the Kentucky State Fair, the National Farm Machinery Show, the FFA National Convention and all other major events associated with the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. He also oversees the Kentucky International Convention Center downtown.

For Workman, the journey has been one of remarkable personal growth and professional achievement.

"Today we host local events, regional events, national events and world events, and between here and our downtown facility we'll do between 4,000 and 5,000 event days a year because we do multiple events," said Workman, who smiles when he tells people he has basically had only one job since he graduated from UK in 1969 with a degree in animal sciences. (He was elected to the Animal Sciences Hall of Fame in 1995.)

"In 1985 the state legislature moved the North American from the Department of Agriculture to the Fair Board, so essentially I've never changed jobs. I've just meandered around the system to the position I'm in today. And I can tell you truthfully that I've never dreaded coming to work any day of my entire career," he said.

His enjoyment of the job takes on special significance when you pause to consider the magnitude of his responsibility. As Fair Board president and CEO, Workman is the driving energy behind an operation with a budget that has grown from $18 million when he took the reins in 1993 to $38 million today. At the fairgrounds alone, he oversees a million square feet of exhibit space. A recently-completed economic impact study showed the Fair Board generates about $450 million annually for the state, up from $180 million 10 years ago.

"When he assumed his present job as CEO, he really filled about three jobs," said Louisville businessman Roy Gibson, who is also a UK ag alum ('57) and a longtime friend of Workman's. "He's director of the fairgrounds, manager of the North American, and manager of the downtown convention center, and I think he does it better than any three people."

Workman's career path had its beginnings on his family's 200-acre farm in Livingston County where he lived with his parents, Denny and Laverne, his brother Don, and his sister Charlotte. The farm produced beef cattle, hay, and corn. When Harold was 15 his father died, and he recalls it as a time when family responsibilities took priority over other activities, such as participation in high school sports.

"Obviously we had responsibilities on the farm, and there really wasn't time to do both, so we chose to take care of what fed us and kept us going," he said.
In high school Harold joined FFA, and credits that organization and two teachers with having a great impact on his life.

"We had a strong FFA chapter and were always involved in state contests and state conventions, and Alan Middleton and Ray Fowler were excellent teachers who had a real influence on me," he recalled.

With farming and FFA forming an early foundation, it isn't surprising that Harold chose to pursue higher education in agriculture. In the fall of 1964 he enrolled in UK's College of Agriculture and soon gained part-time work at the College's research farms.

"I worked at the swine barn under Ted Cathy initially, then later at the nutrition barn with Dr. Easton,who was the vet, and I also worked for a while in the beef cattle operation at Coldstream," Workman said. "Being an animal science major was already in my mind in terms of what I wanted to do. My advisor was Dr. Frank Buck, who was a great guy, down to earth, and always had a way of understanding the student's viewpoint. He had a big influence on me."
UK gave Workman his first experience at managing a big event.

"I was an officer in the Block & Bridle Club and was manager of its horse show for three or four years," he said. He also was a member of the livestock judging team, an experience that offered him travel opportunities and the chance to enhance his speaking ability and confidence.

"I enjoyed my time in college, and didn't know how much I enjoyed it until I was out," he said.

During those UK years Workman had been keeping in touch with Ray Fowler, who had left his teaching job to join the shows and fairs division of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Harold would drop by Frankfort from time to time to visit Fowler, and on one of the visits—which not coincidentally came just after his graduation in 1969—he filled out a job application. Unfortunately there were no openings.

"Then in early fall I got a call from the director of Shows & Fairs, Wallace Rich, asking me if I was still interested. I said I was, and on the 16th of September I started with them, working the district heifer shows and beef shows across the state," recalled Workman. During the next few years he worked with a wide variety of people—farmers, ag teachers, Extension agents, young people, and livestock leaders from one end of Kentucky to the other. He organized the shows, was on-site producer, kept the show records, and issued the checks.

He didn't know it at the time, but he was steadily assembling the unique portfolio of professional credentials that would lead him to his present position as one of the most influential business voices in the commonwealth, a man respected by ag and non-ag leaders alike as well as colleagues and employees.

"His employees have tremendous respect for him because he came up through the ranks, he knows what their jobs entail, the stresses and strains," said Mary Anne Cronan, Louisville businesswoman and Fair Board chairman. "Harold is a very effective problem solver, and he has the ability to look at things, see what is really happening, and head in the right direction."

"Harold has really become one of the key figures in both Kentucky agriculture and the Louisville economy," said M. Scott Smith, dean of the College of Agriculture. "He is widely and deeply respected by the leaders of this state for his organizational and management skills and for his progressive vision of Kentucky agriculture."

Workman credits his open-door management style and ability to hire top-notch employees for much of his success. Those who know him also credit his no-nonsense approach, his ability to see the big picture, and his skill at handling the unpredictable.

"Harold is one of those people who can take what some think is a potentially alarming situation and put it in perspective," said Mary Anne Cronan. "He's one of those cup-half-full people, always takes a reasoned approach, and always has a Plan B. He's also extremely fair minded and values people."

"On the job he sometimes has to be firm and serious, but he's also a very caring person, and success has not changed the way he treats people one bit," said Louisville businessman Roy Gibson.

Although his roots are in agriculture, Workman's activities nowadays stretch across a wide spectrum of community and economic development. As a member of several of Louisville's more influential boards, he occupies a unique position among the city's leaders, a position that gives him a window seat to Louisville's burgeoning economic future.

"The Fair Board is a major economic engine for the Commonwealth," said Board Chairman Cronan. "Harold has brought us to where we are today, and I don't know how much people realize what has happened over the years. He has taken every situation and turned it into a positive and productive approach and has put us where we are today."

UK gave Workman his first experience at managing a big event.
"I was an officer in the Block & Bridle Club and was manager of its horse show for three or four years,” Workman said.

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Agriculture is a fairgrounds superstar

Although the Kentucky State Fair Board oversees a wide variety of concerts, sports events, and conventions, agriculture remains a vital part of its history and present-day activities. From its celebrated Saddle & Sirloin portrait collection of ag luminaries that lines the walls of West Hall to its involvement in some of ag's biggest shows, the Board maintains strong ties to agriculture.

"We don't favor one group over another, certainly not, but if you look at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, it was built with a strong influence from the agricultural community," said Harold Workman, president and CEO of the Kentucky Fair Board. "If you look at our Board, nearly half of the members, including Dean Scott Smith of UK, represent a specific agricultural entity."

Faculty, staff, and students from our UK College of Agriculture and Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve in a myriad of capacities at many of the Fair Board's largest events, helping with everything from exhibits to judging. FFA and 4-H members from across the state, often traveling with parents and adult leaders, participate in dozens of animal, crop, food preparation, technology, and other ag-related projects and competitions.

"The partnership between the UK Cooperative Extension Service and the KFEC (Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center) is definitely a symbiotic relationship," said George Heersche, UK dairy specialist and veteran of 25 Kentucky state fairs and North Americans. "I've logged a lot of hours working with the good folks of KFEC, and have always found them to be cooperative, professional, competent, and productive."

"Over the years our association with the Fair Board has been excellent," said Larry Turner, associate dean for Extension. "The relationship between our college and the many events of the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center is an important one that dates back many years, and we anticipate that relationship continuing well into the future."

Here are a few examples of the many Fair Board events that impact our College:

• North American International Livestock Exposition— More than 200,000 people attend this storied event, which is recognized as the largest purebred livestock show in the world. In addition to livestock, technology is becoming an important part of the show's production. Total entries for all categories have now surpassed 20,000.
• Kentucky State Fair— More than 650,000 people attend this time-honored event. In 2001 the fair welcomed its 25 millionth visitor since making the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center its permanent home in 1956. More than 8,000 exhibitors make their way to the fair each year. General entries total about 31,600, livestock entries are about 10,500, and horse show entries total more than 6,500.
• National Farm Machinery Show— More than a quarter million people from around the globe travel to this event, which enjoys a long association with the College of Agriculture and Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. More than 700 exhibitors fill the facility each year with products and technology that comprise one of the most comprehensive displays of farming equipment in the world.
• National FFA Convention— A sea of blue jackets arrived in Kentucky again this fall. Some 47,000 attendees, including 42,000 students from over 7,000 chapters, gathered in Louisville to celebrate FFA's 75th national convention. More than 350 businesses, corporations, and universities set up displays for this premiere event.

Ag Alums Make State's Biggest Shows Happen

Energy, creativity, working with people, and adapting quickly to a changing environment: these are just some of the qualities needed to manage three of the largest shows in the state, and the nation. These are the qualities possessed by UK ag alums Corinne (Phillips) Fetter, '91, animal sciences, and David Snider, '71, animal sciences.

As director of expositions for the Kentucky State Fair Board, Fetter coordinates three of the board's main shows: the North American International Livestock Expo, the Kentucky State Fair, and the National Farm Machinery Show. It's a huge responsibility, but the Mason County native loves the challenge.

"One of the things I like most about the job is the satisfaction of being able to showcase the best of the best, whether it's at the State Fair with people of all ages involved, or at the other shows, which draw people from around the world," she said.

As branch manager for the North American, David Snider joins Fetter in making sure every puzzle piece— from tables to technology—is in place when the Fair & Exposition Center's doors swing wide on opening day. The task is daunting, but Snider said the work fits his skills perfectly.

"I started out in 4-H at 10 years old, then went into FFA, then went on to UK and was involved in all the judging teams from meats to livestock," said the Bullitt County native. "From the git-go, I knew I wanted to go to UK, and I knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture. I did other jobs before I came here in 1980, but this job fit me like a glove."
Both Snider and Fetter recall their time in the College of Agriculture as some of the best days of their lives.

"The professors were great, people like Dr. Frank Buck and Dr. Bill Moody," said Snider. "Faculty and staff there made you feel welcome. UK was a big place, and some of the classes on campus there had 300 students in them, but the ag college classes were smaller and more one-on-one. It was a great experience."

"I'd say UK and the College of Agriculture touched me as an individual from an early age," said Fetter. "My dad, Larry Phillips, is an animal science graduate, and I became a 4-H member at 9 years old. And as a student at the College, I can say that the professors and advisors helped prepare me personally and professionally to go out into the world and start a career."
Fetter is also a graduate of the Philip Morris Leadership program coordinated through the College of Agriculture.

"That was after I had been out of school for a while, and I still felt that family atmosphere that accessibility of the College's professors and staff and their willingness to help," she said.
It's not an exaggeration to say the jobs these two alums do for the Fair Board and for the people of Kentucky require something extra, something special. The person who knows this best is the man they work for.

"Corinne and David are the kind of employees you can't do without," said Harold Workman, Fair Board president and CEO. "Corinne's job takes a lot organizational ability and energy and talent in working with people. David's job takes a wide variety of skills and computer know-how, and we couldn't get the job done without him. They both do a wonderful job for us."
For today's agriculture students, Fetter and Snider offer advice based on their own career paths and the lessons learned along the way.

"Don't put blinders on," said Fetter. "If there's an opportunity out there, you've got to start somewhere. On my first job after college I found myself at one point managing 40 people on the night shift at a processing plant, but it helped me grow and be a better person."

"Every experience will be a learning experience," said Snider. "Whatever comes along, if it interests you, go ahead and try it and learn from it. And if it doesn't fit, then move on. Take advantage of every opportunity you have."

Harold Workman thinks College of Ag alums David Snider, ‘71 (left), and Corinne Phillips Fetter, ‘91, are “the kind of employees you can’t do without.”

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