The Butte County Fair is searching for a new CEO now that Robert Williamson is leaving for the fair in Fresno. The Board of Directors discussed the situation at last week's meeting, with District Supervisor Steve Lambert in attendance, and formed a committee to begin a search.

Williamson served as CEO for about a year, and his last day will be February 27 as Fresno is expecting him at the beginning of March. The board will look at a possible interim CEO with the fair about six months away.

Lambert explained that his ideal scenario, which may not be achievable, would be to have the fairgrounds busy for 50 weeks out of the year, with the fair being free for the county.

"I think this fairgrounds needs to be busy every week, every weekend, not only for the strength of this board and the fairgrounds, but for the community that it's in," he said, adding that Gridley is the largest city in his district.

When hiring a new CEO, he said, the board doesn't necessarily have to hire a previous fair manager.

"My encouragement is to think outside the box a little bit," Lambert said. "Maybe look at a person that is an event planner, or a person that has run a company that's done different kinds of events."

Lambert threw out a name as a suggestion - Debra Lucero of Chico, who does many things for the county. She fits the supervisor's description as thinking outside the box.

He also recommended they hire someone in the county that's familiar with the community, and stressed that time is a factor with the fair approaching. He thought the fairgrounds could also host a visitor/tourism center for the whole county.

"Money is tighter, and the state keeps pinching us off more and more," he said. "We've got to work together."

Board President Doug Flesher spoke for the board in thanking Lambert for attending.

"We really appreciate your concern and interest in making this a viable place," he said. "One of the things we need is a lot of support."

At the end of the meeting, the board members thanked Williamson for his service, and he thanked them as well.

"I've learned a lot here and I'll take a lot on to Fresno," he said. "I really do appreciate the opportunity you guys have given me."