As CEO of the Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association, Jerome Hoban has navigated economic disruptions, shifting politics and a pandemic to make the venue not just sustainable, but indispensable.

His leadership has grown the number of annual events hosted at the fairgrounds from under 200 to over 320, transforming it into a hub for cultural programming, emergency response and food distributions while hosting over 400,000 people at the annual summer fair. He also spearheaded the creation of the Alameda County Fair Foundation, advancing the next generation’s agricultural literacy.

A builder at heart, Jerome reinvests millions each year into improvements while cultivating a strong culture, making the fairgrounds a year-round home for the Bay Area community.

Jerome’s Leadership Tips:

• Be passionate, predictable and willing to do it yourself.
• Celebrate effort and shared success — even when outcomes shift.
• Half of life is simply showing up.