Fair Board chair hired to manage fairgrounds

Flathead County Fair Board Chairman Sam Nunnally has been hired as the new manager of the county fairgrounds. He replaces retiring manager Mark Campbell effective Nov. 29.

Nunnally comes to the position with in-depth knowledge about the management and operations of the fairgrounds. He has served on the Fair Board since 2011, including six years as board chair, according to a press release.

He also has been actively involved with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse and Flathead County Search & Rescue, both of which provide security and public safety services every year at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo.

Nunnally, a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley, has been employed at Logan Health for the past 23 years in a variety of information technology positions.

He currently serves on the Kalispell City Council. His term runs through 2023. Nunnally said he plans to continue on the council, and will recuse himself on voting on matters pertaining to the fairgrounds.

“We are very excited to have Sam join the team. His passion for the fair and the people who participate in the many events and activities was obvious throughout the selection process,” Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick said in a prepared statement. “This will drive him to continue providing an outstanding experience for all the guests.”

Melnick said the county received nine applications for the manager position, and a hiring committee narrowed the list to three finalists — all local applicants, though one of the finalists dropped out.

"We wanted to move fast on this because of the nature of the position, with Mark looking to retire," Melnick said. "But we didn't skip any steps. We solicited the opportunity externally and internally."

Nunnally said he is looking forward to working with a facility and an event that he loves. “It will enable me to continue serving the community while working with a great group of similarly passionate people,” he said.

With more than 500 event days and 200,000 visitors annually, the Flathead County Fairgrounds are an economic driver for the region.