GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEW DIRECTORS
Justine O’Brien Associate Director
No stranger to the Florida Federation of Fairs, Justine has attended the annual meeting for 25 years and the IAFE Con-
vention for 17 or 18 years. She has helped with several committees and participated in round tables and workshops. She has been a regular golfer in the Giles Ellis Memorial Tournament since Giles started it many years ago. Justine got her start in the Fair business
at an early age. Her parents owned a meat distributing company in Springfield, IL and ―my dad was the ‗meat man‘ at the Illinois State Fair, so my family was always at the Fair. I started working for Gene and San- Dee O‘Brien during the Fair when I got older for my own spending money. Then one summer Tim asked me out and here I am 32 years later in an industry as unique as the people involved with it.‖ Justine grew up in Riverton, Illinois, a
small town, there were 72 in her high school graduating class. Sports, community and church were an important part of grow- ing up. After going to Parkland College to be a dental hygienist she married Tim and they steadily worked building the business and eventually merging companies with Gene and SanDee. The O‘Briens have three children Cody 28 (Carolina), Jared 27 and Kassie 21 (Daniel) 5 grandchildren and 4 granddogs. When their oldest son got closer to
school age they decided they were not home school parents and made their home in Florida, ―so we could enjoy our off time year around.‖ For 24 years Justine would bring the children home right before school started and stay home with them while Tim worked the rest of the season. She stayed busy being the home room mom, volun- teering at school and running three children to soccer practices and games. ―The only job I never volunteered for was working the concession stand.‖ After Kassie started college four years ago she went back on the round full time. During this time she became a CCE
(Certified Concessionaire Executive). This is a lifetime award presented by NICA in recognition of outstanding professionalism as a concessionaire. The O‘Brien family was also the recipient
of the Florida Federation of Fairs Associate of the Year Award in 2005. Boating, motorcycle riding, reading, and
scuba diving are some of her interests. Welcome Justine……….
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David Viers Volusia County Fair
As a self proclaimed ―has-been.‖ Recycled or whatever. You bet- ter believe that David still has a lot more to
give to this organization. He has served in all of the offices and most of the com- mittees. He was President in 2000 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He became a CFE (Certified Fair Execu- tive) in 1999. He has attended 30 Fed- eration conventions and the same num- ber of IAFE conventions. David had the monumental task of implementing the Blue Ribbon Program which he handled for many years. When asked if he would chair the Golf Tournament if we could find a place to meet in Daytona, he didn‘t hesitate. He did a great job during the two years we met there. David got his start in the Fair business
while working in his parents‘ nursery business. They loaned plants each year for decorations, in 1981 they asked him to be in charge of Horticulture Hall, the next year he was elected to the Board, serving as President in 1986-87. In 1990 he became manager. For 12 years he put on the annual county Horticulture Judging Contest and taught the 1988 DeLand Middle School State winning team. He graduated from Deland High
School, then joined the United States Air Force. During that time he also drove race cars. He met Paulette at the De- Land Raceway. They have been married for 41 years and have 3 children: David R., Tanya, and Connie. They also have 11 grandchildren. David is past president of the Central
Florida Chapter of the Florida Nursery- man and Growers Association, past president of Southwest Volusia Little League and a member of the DeLand High School FFA Advisory Committee. He has been District Administrator of Florida District 19 Little League Baseball since 1993. Besides his awards in the Fair busi-
ness he has received Outstanding Chap- ter President Florida Nurseryman & Growers, Honorary Chapter Farmer, DeLand Middle School Blue & Gold Award, DeLand High School FFA Hall of Fame, Florida FFA Honorary State De- gree. Whether you are new in the business
or been around, David is the go to guy, he is always willing to help…...
Paul Davis Florida Strawberry Festival
Paul is currently
the General Man- ager of the Florida Strawberry Festi- val. He worked security at the Festival and the Florida State Fair for over 30 years. He was made security advisor for the Florida Strawberry Festival in 2003. Five years ago he became General Manager and has attended Federation Conventions ever since as well as the IAFE meetings in Las Vegas. Paul has served on sev- eral committees and helped lead a few round table discussions. Paul has also been involved in other
organizations as well ie: Board member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Rotary member, Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance. Over the years he has received the following awards: FFA Awards (2) Chamber Awards (2) and many law enforcement awards. Paul and Sherry just celebrated their
35th wedding anniversary. They are the parents of three children: Jeremy, Ash- ley, and Morgan. Jeremy has 3 children, Ashley has one and one on the way. Morgan is a student. Paul enjoys fishing and mostly spend-
ing time with his family. He is looking forward to working with
the board and not only helping the Flor- ida Strawberry Festival grow but the in- dustry as a whole. Welcome to the Fed- eration Board. Your unique sense of hu- mor will be most welcome! Sorry Paul, you didn‘t give us enough information to fill the space……...
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