Getting to Know Our New Directors


Shawn Krauel Central Florida Fair A new generation of leadership began for the


Central Florida Fair as the Fair closed the books on the first successful 100 years and said good- bye to longtime General Manager/C.O.O., Charles C. Price, who has retired after 18 years of dedicated service to the organization. With the Central Florida Fair’s future in mind,


the Board of Directors, led by President Palmer Yergey, conducted an exhaustive search for a candidate that would possess the passion, ex- citement and vision that is necessary to lead the Central Florida Fair into the next 100 years. That person is Shawn Krauel. Shawn, his wife Tina of 12 years, and their 11 year old daughter Taylor soon became part of the Cen- tral Florida Fair family. Shawn recently relo- cated his family to Central Florida from West Palm Beach, where he worked with the South Florida Fair. During his tenure at West Palm, he ran their box office, transitioned into Midway Operations and then Management of their Exposition Facilities, while also booking na- tional entertainment acts for their Pepsi Stage during the annual Fair. Shawn’s unique qualifications and his vast


experience has provided the Central Florida Fair with numerous opportunities and has en- hanced their existing programs and enriched established partnerships. Much of Shawn’s involvement in the Florida


Federation of Fairs has been behind the scenes but he is eager to do whatever is necessary to help the organization. He is excited to be able to work with his former colleague and now Federation President Rick Vymlatil


FFF Ag Award for implementing a new ag pro- gram. Rhonda has attended the last nine Federation


Conventions serving on the Ag Committee, Welcoming Committee and the Golf Tourna- ment Committee and even decorated the Hos- pitality suite a few times. When asked about her hobbies she said, “my


hobbies include many things, I like to think I am a well-rounded person. I like to spend quiet time with God on a peaceful walk, at the beach, on the boat or a good ole’ buggy ride through the woods reflecting on His wonderous crea- tion. I love to sit and listen to the rain and think of all the beauty that will come from it.” “My heart lies in anything that my children/ grandchildren are involved in at the time.” Rhonda is married to Bodie Ward and they


are the parents of four children, Caleb, Cayla, McCoy, and Aubrie. “I am GiGi to the loves of my life Adriana and Christian.” “I am very excited about this new journey in


my life and look forward to being on the Florida Federation of Fairs Board. I feel blessed to be a part of this organization with some of the greatest people in the world. All of this would not be possible without God, my family and the amazing love and support of my Fair family. Fair means FAMILY!!!”


Dennis Lee, Associate Director By Lauren Der I had the sincere


Rhonda Ward Collier County Fair About 23 years ago


Rhonda married into the Fair industry. At that time her mother- in-law was first the Fair secretary and later the Fair manager. After volunteering for many years and her son showing at the Fair she soon became an employee. Starting as officer manager, then livestock manager and now Fair Manager. She handles the day to day operations of the fairgrounds, off season events, and works closely with the Livestock program. Rhonda is also leader of the Family Tradi-


tions 4-H club and a volunteer Sunday School teacher. In 2011 she was awarded the After School Director of the Year. She received the


pleasure of meeting Dennis Lee five years ago while I was volun- teering with our festival and quickly became aware of why he is such a treasure in the fair industry. In my observa- tions of his shows and conversations we have shared, I believe Dennis Lee represents the best ideals by which our fairs operate. Lee was born in Memphis, Tenn. and raised


in the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes from the age of eight to 18. He was a talented basketball player and received a scholarship to play at Harding University in Little Rock, Ark. Lee studied political science and worked dur- ing the summers as an entertainer at Liberty Land, an amusement park, and served as the very first tour guide at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. His experience at Liberty Land and Graceland gave him the desire to pursue entertainment full time. “When I knew I could make a living perform-


ing, the political science went to the wayside,” said Lee. “In 1980, I started pursuing a full- time career in entertainment on the local,


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regional and national levels.” Lee’s first performance was at the Florida


State Fair that same year with the help of Fed- eration Hall of Fame member Wilson Sparks. Lee had been working in the fair’s maintenance department. “It was a street show and was like cutting my


teeth on the stepping stones of a stage show,” said Lee. “It was a very humbling, exciting, fulfilling learning experience that gave me my first taste of what it took to develop and pro- duce a stage show.” Six years later, the opportunity to perform


his own stage show at the Florida Strawberry Festival was presented to him by then-manager Kenneth Cassels. Lee is no doubt a talented vocalist and come-


dian. But it seems that he is best known and loved for his ability to connect with his audi- ence, an ability he attributes to his experiences as a child. When he was 12 years old and living at the


children’s home, Lee roomed with and helped care for a handicapped man whom Lee says taught him a great deal about life and about individuals with special needs. “Being able to touch the lives of folks, chil-


dren or adults, who are less fortunate, who don’t get any attention, who come to shows not expecting anything and being able to meet them at a level that makes them happy,” said Lee, “I dig that. I think a lot of it stems from growing up in a children’s home.” In fact, the name of his current tour is de-


rived from this desire to bring joy to his audi- ences. “The name of the tour this year is ‘Bless Your


Heart,’” said Lee. “It’s one of those southern things, and I thought ‘Why don’t we bless each others’ hearts?’” In an average year, Lee travels approximately


six months and performs nearly 400 shows in cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. He currently resides in Clearwater, Fla. and has two children, Matthew and Rachel, whom he says are the loves of his life. In 2008, Lee was honored with the Associate


of the Year Award and was recently elected to the Board of Directors in the associate’s posi- tion. Next year will mark his 35th year as a member of the Federation. “There is nothing better than using your God-


given talents to touch people’s lives,” said Lee. “That to me is the ultimate, and I believe it’s what God wants me to do.” From all your friends in the federation, con-


gratulations, Dennis, on your new position. Thank you for all you do for our federation and for the visitors of our fairs.


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