SCAS Annual Election

2024 Election Notice

The Stark County Agricultural Society will hold an Election for members of its Board of Directors on Friday. November 1st, 2024. The election will be held at the Stark County Fairgrounds between the hours of 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM at the Senior Fair Office. Please bring your current membership card and a photo ID to vote. (per ODA Redbook).

Only current 2024 members of the Society may vote or become a candidate for election.
To become a current member of the Stark County Agricultural Society you must:

1.  Be a resident of Stark County.
2. Be at least 18 years of age.
3. Purchased your $25 Membership, in person at the Sr. Fair Office, on or before 9PM August 27th, 2024.

In order to become a candidate for election to the board of directors you must:

1. Be a member of the society for two (2) of the last three (3) years, including the current year.
2. Submit a petition containing at least 25 signatures, of current members of the Agricultural Society, to the Board Secretary 30 days before the election.

Memberships are only valid for the year shown on the card.

2024 SCAS Potential Candidates

Stark County Agricultural Society By-Laws Proposed Amendment to be placed on November 1, 2024 Annual Election Ballot

Current By-Laws:

Article III – Committees and Superintendents

Section 1.  The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President and Vice President as soon as possible following the reorganizational election. These Committees shall consist of a chairman and a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 8 members: Auditing, Budget, Building & Grounds, Constitution & By-Laws, Junior Fair, Public Relations & Advertising, Privilege, Entertainment & Program, Speed, Ticket and Human Resources. The Human Resources Committee shall be composed of Vice President, Treasurer, Junior Fair Chairman and one at large member. Special Committees may be appointed at any time necessary. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the chairman of each of the Standing committees. The President and Secretary are members ex-officio of all committees.

Proposed Changes:

Article III – Committees and Superintendents

Section 1.  The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President and Vice President as soon as possible following the reorganizational election. These Committees shall consist of a chairman and a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 10 members: Auditing, Budget, Building & Grounds, Constitution & By-Laws, Junior Fair, Public Relations & Advertising, Privilege, Entertainment & Program, Speed, Ticket and Human Resources. The Human Resources Committee shall be composed of Vice President, Treasurer, Junior Fair Chairman, Building and Grounds Chairman and one at large member. Special Committees may be appointed at any time necessary. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the chairman of each of the Standing committees. The President and Secretary are members ex-officio of all committees.

Potential Candidates Questionnaire

Kevin King

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? At Large Member 4
• Interests / Hobbies: Tractor pulling, SXS riding, BBQ & 4H 
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: Current SCAS board director.
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): Since 2019
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? To continue to improve the fair, helping our Stark county 4H kids have the best program possible and working to have the fair be a showcase of agriculture to our community.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: Owner Kingsway Sign and Kingsway Pumpkin Farm, lifelong Lake twp resident, SCAS board member, 4H advisor, former Dairy committee member. Married to Brittany, 4 kids Travis, Aaron, Justin & Reagan.

Danny Schmucker

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Washington Township
• Interests / Hobbies: Collecting Tractors, Tractor Pulling, Spending time on the farm with  my family
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: I am the current Vice President of the SCAS Board of Directors and am also the Chair of the Tractor Pull Committee.
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): 12 years
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? To help make the fair better each year by improving the overall community experience.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: My wife, Laura, and I have 2 children, Amelia (5) and Andrew (4). Growing up, I was a 4H/Jr Fair member for 10 years showing Dairy and Dairy Feeders. A past Dairy Committee member and fair volunteer for many years before being asked to run for the board in 2012. I have enjoyed my time on the board helping with various projects around the grounds and promoting the fair. I have been a part of the Tractor Pull Committee for 12 years and as a committee we have grown our event into one of the best in the nation, winning the "NTPA Pull of the Year" award in 2022. I was also Superintendent of the Beef Committee for 10 years and helped improve the Open Class Beef Show by moving it to Tuesday evening and making it a "haul-in" show. I also started the Stark County Ag Hall of Fame in 2024 and am looking forward to seeing it grow in the future by honoring those who helped grow Ohio's #1 industry in Stark County.

Earl Rohn

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Bethlehem Township
• Interests / Hobbies: Feeding Cattle, Selling Wilson Livestock Trailers
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: Current SCAS Board Director, Superintendent of the Horse Racing and help the fair in any way I can.
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): I have been a SCAS Board Director for 12 years.
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I want to showcase agriculture to the general public.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: I have many years of involvement at the Stark County Fair of which include: 4H, Jr Fair Board, Jr Leaders, Stark County Square Dance Team, Camp Counselor at 4H camp. I am a widowed father to 3 children. My children were also active in 4H and showed cattle and hogs. I also started the Buy-Back Program for the JR Fair Auctions.

Mikayla Durkin

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? At-Large-Member #2 (ALM 2)
• Interests / Hobbies: Riding horses and working youth as a mentor.
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: I am currently a SCAS Board Director.
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): For one year.
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I would like to help develop the fair and showcase agriculture in Stark County.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: My family has been involved at Stark County Fair in some capacity, beginning in 1953. I was brought up through the 4H & FFA program, and was involved with the Jr Fairboard during that. I went to Kent State Tusc. and majored in Agribusiness. Currently I work for a local Credit Union and I am involved in a management role. I am also a coach for Kent State's Western Equestrian Team.

Mitchel Evans

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? I am currently running for At-Large-Member #2 (ALM2) 
• Interests / Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family. Working on projects around my farm, taking care of our live stock. I also enjoy sports and camping. 
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: I'm currently a member of the beef committee and the auction committee.
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I would like to help make positive influences for the future for every aspect of the fair On the north and south side of the grandstands. I would like to help with building and grounds, the Jr Fair program and camping. 
• Short Personal / Family Bio: I've been married to my wife  Liz for 7 years. We have 6 children between us. Veronica, Ashleigh, Gavin, Scarlett, Theodore, and Mathias. We have a small farm in Nimishillen TWP. We raise cattle ,sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. 
• Anything else that you would like to add? For my day job, I'm a plant manager for SRM concrete in Walton Hills Ohio and have been there for 5 years.

Katherine Sterling

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? At-Large-Member #2 (ALM2) 
• Interests / Hobbies: Aside from supporting my kids in all of their activities, I keep busy by staying active. I enjoy all things outdoors including: hiking, running, and traveling. I am an avid runner completing many distance races and challenge competitions. I also enjoy volunteering to give back to my community. I have coached Girls on the Run, been a Big Sister for the Girls and Boys Club, led a Girls Scout Troop, and currently volunteer as a Sunday School Teacher at my church. 
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: Over the past two years I have worked with the Stark County Fair and Kissel Cares to provide over 150 students with disabilities ages 12 through age 22 the opportunity to attend the fair in a sensory friendly opportunity. 
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I would love the opportunity to assist in making fair activities accessible to individuals with disabilities. There are many individuals and families that would love to participate in many to all activities at the fair, but are limited due to multiple reasons. I feel that we could offer mild accommodations and information that would assist in full access to many opportunities to be included in fair activities and overall provide a typical experience. 
• Short Personal / Family Bio: My name is Katie Sterling and I was born and raised a Stark County girl. Upon graduating from Canton South High School, I continued my education at the University of Mount Union in the field of education. I have worked in the field of education as a teacher, and an administrator over the past 22 years. In my personal life, I have two daughters and 2 step children. My fiance Mike, and kids love to stay busy supporting our community, but also love to hang out at home and watch movies and roast marshmallows by the firepit. 
• Anything else that you would like to add? I look forward to working with the Stark County Fair in any position to assist in the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. I appreciate the opportunity thus far to provide opportunities for Stark County students with disabilities to access the fair at their level and look forward to the continued collaboration.

Bryan Griffin

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Lake Township
• Interests / Hobbies: Snowmobiling, snow skiing, white water rafting
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: Currently director of police, co-director of building and grounds, on the speed committee and tractor pull committee. 
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): 6 years
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? Because I think Agricultural education is very important.  I think that all people should donate back to their community in some way, and with my professional skills I can better the infrastructure at the fairgrounds. 
• Short Personal / Family Bio: I have a girlfriend named Carrie and two step children named Cormac and Rory. Though I have only spent 6 years as a director I have been involved for much longer. 
• Anything else that you would like to add? The fair board is going in a very progressive and positive direction and I would like to continue to be involved it that.

William Locker

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Pike Township
• Interests / Hobbies: The fair , for over 58 years (including my 4H time)
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: President of the SCAS Board. I was the Treasurer for 34 years and have been on every committee.
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): 48 years
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I love it! It's God's family, part of the country and a great "job" for someone who it retired.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: I have been married to my wife, Marcia, for 59 years. We have 2 sons.
• Anything else that you would like to add? Marcia and I were 4H Advisors for 25 years. I was a 4H'er during the years 1955-1963. Both of my sons were in 4H for 10 years. My whole familyl loves the fair and fair people.

David Swartz

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Plain Township
• Interests / Hobbies:  I enjoy all the different aspects of farming and the fair. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends.
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: I am the Co-Chair of Tractor Pull Committee, Rides Committee, Entertainment Committee, Building & Grounds Committee and Speed Committee
• How long have you been on the Board of Directors (if applicable): I have been on the board for 30 years.
• Why do you want to be on the SCAS Board of Directors? I want to keep the agricultural side of the fair going, every year there is less farmers in the county.
• Short Personal / Family Bio: The Swartz name goes back a long way. Jacob Swartz was on the board back in 1870. Charlie Swartz, my father, was on the board for 60 years. I have been on the board for 30 years. My nephew was on the board for 12 years and currently my sister is on the board now.

Andrew Kissel

• What Township/ ALM position are you running for? Plain Township
• Current Involvement in the Stark County Fair or Agriculture: I have been apart of Plain township for 22 years. I have been involved with the stark county fair since 2017 being part of the midway bringing Rides, Games, and Food. I have offered several fresh ideas to the Society from change of the layout to the Kissel Cares program. Which the name will be changed in the upcoming years. 
• Short Personal / Family Bio: I was born and raised in the Amusement Industry. I help run Kissel Amusement company with my two brothers. Fairs have always been my passion since I was little kid. I have been to over 40 county fairs and exclusively play 12 fairs. Stark being one of them. I try and play a huge role in each county fair. 
• Anything else that you would like to add? My wife Nichole and two kids Carson and Cecelia are very involved as well. When I’m not working on the road I’m spending time with my family.