Category: Employee Profiles

Meet the N.C. State Fair’s first safety officer Michael Amberg

Maintaining a facility like the N.C. State Fairgrounds is quite the task. With over 300 acres, historic buildings and crowds most weekends attending events or the flea market and the annual N.C. State Fair in October, the fairgrounds is a busy place. A new position at the N.C. State Fair looks to see that jobs being done to maintain the fairgrounds and get ready for these events are done safely. Michael Amberg started work earlier this year as the N.C. State Fair’s first safety officer. His job is to ensure other workers on the fairgrounds are doing their jobs safely….

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What it’s really like working as an intern at the State Fair

As the year comes to a close, so does my time with the N.C. Department of Agriculture. I still have winter break to look forward to, but holiday treats just can’t compare to the seeing the joy of fairgoers munching on turkey legs and deep-fried pumpkin pie. My time as an intern has been unforgettable. Over the summer, I was thrilled to spend my days interviewing ice cream shop owners, beekeeping entrepreneurs, Montagnard staff members and competition winners. In fact, my favorite part about my daily work at the department was getting to meet so many different people that all…

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Employee Profile: Maintenance worker Thuy Ksor brings Montagnard culture to the fairgrounds

Thuy Ksor may be accustomed to the fresh air and green grass in the Vietnam central highlands, but he gets his fill of the countryside right here at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Ksor, part of an ethnic minority group called the Montagnards, came to North Carolina in 2007. He’s one of about 20 Montagnard employees at the fairgrounds, and after getting his maintenance job here in 2008, he attributes much of what he’s learned in America so far to the diversity of tasks under his jurisdiction. “My job is totally different from everybody’s – I help people finish construction jobs…

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As January ends, a new era at the State Fair begins

After 38 years of service, Wesley Wyatt is ready to hang up the many hats he has worn over the years as manager of the N.C. State Fair. While we’re excited for him and the new adventures that lie ahead in his post-retirement journey, his presence will be missed across the fairgrounds, throughout the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and beyond. Wyatt’s career began at the fairgrounds in the summer of 1973 as a junior in high school working part-time on the landscape crew, helping with horse shows, setting up buildings for events and cleaning up after them….

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Employee Profile: New art and photography superintendent Dottie Cole seeks to broaden exhibition

When the sun rises over the fairgrounds Thursday, Oct. 15, Dottie Bryan Cole, the art and photography department superintendent, will be walking through the Kerr Scott Building, ensuring all the art exhibition displays are ready for the N.C. State Fair’s opening. “That’s my favorite part of the job,” Cole said. “Walking through in the morning before opening, seeing the final project, going through and taking it all in. All of the hard work is done.” As the art and photography superintendent, Cole is responsible for processing entries, setting competition rules and regulations, hiring and managing department employees, selecting judges, organizing…

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Employee Profile: New assistant fair manager James Romer brings passion for fairs

New assistant fair manager James Romer has developed many passions, from collecting rocks to horticulture and gardening. However, when it comes to his love for fairs, Romer said it just got into his blood as a child and has been there ever since. “Some of the best days of my life have been spent at fairs,” Romer said. “In fact, I met my wife at a county fair in Iowa. Fairs are always going to be special to me.” Romer’s experience with fairs began with his parents who, in 1965, began raising and showing dahlias at local county fairs and…

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Employee Profile: Switchboard operator Sandra Baker answers the call

If you have called the main line to the State Fair at anytime over the last 18 years, there’s a good chance that you’ve talked to Mrs. Sandra. This time of year she estimates the main switchboard at the fair fields about 600 calls every day. Baker’s office is just inside the front doors of the administration building. Her office is filled with pictures of her family and collectible glass angels. Before working for the fair, Baker spent 25 years as a long distance phone operator. “This was back when we had the long lines that we used to connect…

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Introducing Jose Silva, Hunt Horse Complex facilities maintenance coordinator

When most people think of the N.C. State Fair, they think of food, rides, games, giant pumpkins and livestock shows. When Jose Silva thinks of the fair, he thinks horses. Matter of fact, as a facilities maintenance coordinator at the Hunt Horse Complex, Jose thinks horses all year long. “I am involved with everything that goes into making sure the barns are clean,” Silva said. “Sometimes we just have about four hours between shows to clean the stalls and make sure there are no nails.” Silva has worked at the Hunt Horse Complex since 2002. With an average of 58…

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Introducing Fair Employee Eleanor Upchurch

For Eleanor Upchurch, stopping to smell the roses is just a pleasant bonus to her job. During the fair, Upchurch works as an assistant to the flower show superintendent.  “My main responsibilities are assisting the judges when needed, getting employees the supplies they need, and making sure things run on schedule.” She loves her job and sometimes can’t believe that she gets paid to work. Her work supports the busiest general competition show at the fair. Last year, the flower show had 4,402 exhibits spread out over three shows and offered almost $40,000 in prize money. Upchurch stays busy receiving…

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Introducing Wesley Wyatt, State Fair manager

Like most children, young Wesley Wyatt didn’t dream of becoming the State Fair manager, but now there’s no job he’d rather have. Wyatt was born in Greensboro, lived in Burlington until he was 13, and since then has called Raleigh home. He earned an associate’s degree in applied agriculture from N.C. State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. His career with the State Fair began in 1973, when he was still in high school. Back then, he worked in the landscape crew, helped with horse shows, set up buildings for events and cleaned…

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