Getting to Know . . . . Introducing Cheryl Flood
Cheryl Food appo by Flor
l ida Co m i
inted Florida State Fai m issone f Agricultue
r o r Ex ecut e Dre iv i cto r , Adam H. Putnam
Cheryl Flood was appointed to the position of executive director of the Florida State Fair Authority by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Ad- am H. Putnam, who oversees the Fair Authority. Flood served as interim director of the Fair for the past six months and previously was director of external affairs for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Cheryl’s passion for the Florida State Fair’s mission and drive to see it succeed is unrivaled,” said Commissioner Putnam. “I have the utmost con-
fidence in her experience and ability to continue to make the Florida State Fair the best in the country.” Flood, a fifth generation Floridian, grew up on a cattle ranch east of Lake Wales and has dedicated her career to promoting agri-
culture. Flood graduated from the University of Florida’s Agricultural Leadership Education program with minors in Agribusiness Management and Sales, Agricultural Law and Agriculture and Natural Resources Ethics and Policy. Prior to joining the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 2002 as assistant director of legislative affairs, Flood worked in the Florida Legislature as a legislative assistant. Following her initial four years with the department, she served as district director and deputy chief of staff for then-Congressman Putnam. Flood returned to the Department of Agriculture in 2011 as director of external affairs, a position that included acting as a liaison with the Florida State Fair. Flood has personal as well as professional ties to the Fair, having shown cattle at the Florida State Fair in her youth as part of the
Frostproof FFA organization. “I am excited about the opportunity to take the Authority to a new level,” said Flood. “With a rich 113-year history, a 300-acre
site that serves as a venue for events ranging from home shows to graduations to 5K runs, and an annual 12-day Fair that attracts almost 400,000 patrons, the opportunities seem endless.” Some of Flood’s short-term goals are to increase attendance of the Fair, improve the facilities for both Fair and non-Fair use and create better partnerships with business and community leaders in the area and statewide. “Most importantly,” she said, “I want to provide a venue at which families create memories that will last a lifetime.” Flood looks forward to making such memories with her own family during the 2017 Fair, which takes place from February 9 to 20.
Introducing Tim Lovett The Florida Strawberry Festival recently hired a new staff member to oversee security operations at the annual event. Tim Lovett, a lifelong resident of Plant City, joined the Flori- da Strawberry Festival staff as executive assistant and security manager in May following his retirement from the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Office. “I felt that this was a family environment, and it’s home,”
said Lovett. “Leaving the sheriff’s office and now being able
to work back here in my hometown is a blessing.” Lovett has a 28-year record of outstanding service with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office,
said Florida Strawberry Festival General Manager Paul Davis. During his career, Lovett worked in undercover operations, street crimes, long-term narcotics investigations and, most recently, courthouse security. “Tim has worked security at the festival for about 25 years now and knows our event so well,” said Davis. “He has a genuine love for people, is a good family man and will be a great fit for our team,” said Davis.
To take pictures to submit for the Year End in Review To take pictures for “What A Great Idea” To take pictures for the Directory Cover Photo Contest To nominate a member for Hall of Fame—by March 1st To nominate a person for Associate of the Year—by March 1st To submit news for the Faircracker by February 1st To submit names for “Remembering Those” as they occur
FAIRCRACKER-FALL 2016 27 r
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