Three New Members join Indiana State Fair Commission

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana State Fair Commission has recently added three new members, including two appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels.  Matt Rekeweg, Wabash; Dana Huber, Borden; and Anne Hazlett, Indianapolis, have all been added to the commission, which establishes policy and procedure for the year-round operation of the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Each new member has begun serving a four-year term. 

Rekeweg is Vice President, National Sales for the Halderman Companies, a farm management and real estate services company in Wabash, Ind.  Raised on a farm in Northeast Indiana, Rekeweg has a lifetime of agriculture experience to combine with more than 20 years in business.  He is a Purdue graduate with an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and also serves on the Indiana FFA Foundation's Board of Directors. 

Huber is the Marketing and Public Relations Director at Huber's Orchard, Winery & Vineyard in Starlight, Ind, where they grow fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, grapes and Christmas trees on more than 550 acres of farmland.  A graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, she also spent 10 years working in the healthcare industry.

Hazlett is the new Director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture, which strives to make Indiana a global center for food and agricultural innovation and commercialization.  As a 10-year 4-H member, she spent much of her youth attending and exhibiting at county fairs and the Indiana State Fair.  She is also a North Central High School and Kansas State graduate. 

The Indiana State Fair Commission consists of five governor-appointed members, four ex-officio members, including the Director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture or designee, the presiding officer of the board of trustees for The Barn or designee, the president of the Indiana State Fair Board, and the chairman or designee of the Indiana State Fair Legislative Advisory Committee.  The commission employs the executive director of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, its chief administration officer.

The Indiana State Fair expands to 17 days and three weekends in 2009.  It will take place August 7 - 23.