Peggy Haidl, OCFEC Board member since 2001, was elected as President at the Annual Meeting of the Board in August. Haidl has assumed the responsibility of leading the organization by working together with Chief Executive Officer Becky Bailey-Findley. The Board as a whole focuses on policy objectives; the operational, financial and the administrative functions of the Fair; strategic planning, the budget, and the long-term welfare of the Fair. The Board sets broad policies and goals, giving the CEO the support and authority to implement them in the day-to-day management of the organization.

In addition to Haidl taking the reins as President, Deborah Carona, OCFEC Board member since 2001, has assumed the role of Vice President. Carona, whose initial term on the Board expired this year, was re-appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger through January 2009. Both newly elected officers are excited about their responsibility to the Fair and the facility as a whole.

David Padilla also was appointed to the Board in August - a first-time Fair Board appointment for the Costa Mesa resident. The last time a Fair Board member hailed from Costa Mesa was in 1979. Padilla replaced Jim Barich. Padilla said that he was "grateful, excited, and humbled by the appointment" and that "in addition to promoting agriculture, I plan to foster and support the annual Fair event to ensure growth, profitability, and the offering of a good value which serves all of Orange County's diverse communities."

Padilla, a Costa Mesa resident of more than five years, is the President of the Internet consulting firm Net Media Strategies and works in partnership with the Los Angeles-based firm Netvolution, both of which specialize in consulting on a variety of Internet marketing strategies. In addition to graduating from Santa Clara University as an Academic All-American nominee, Padilla also has been employed by Xerox, DEC and Compaq, specializing in sales and marketing. As a community activist, Padilla is cofounder of the Hispanic 100; holds seats on the boards of directors for the Latino Coalition and the California Empowerment Council; and was the chairperson for two years for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Santa Ana, an event he continues to support.