Executive director and CEO
Wisconsin State Fair Park | West Allis
Shari Black serves as executive director and chief executive officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park, where she oversees a staff of nearly 100 year-round employees and about 1,600 part-time and seasonal employees. Under her leadership, the fair set a new attendance record with 1,136,805 visitors over its 11-day run in 2024. She joined the State Fair in 2016 as event services director and was later named chief programming officer. Previously, she worked for the Waukesha County Fair Association for nearly 20 years, including 15 years as executive director.
Education: Bachelor’s, Carroll University
The future of your industry: “I see the future of our industry growing. Fairs have always been a place to showcase innovation, and I see that continuing, especially in agriculture. We now know how to grow crops indoors.”
Historical figure you look up to: “Margaret Thatcher. She was a remarkable woman. My favorite quote is by her, ‘If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.’”
First and most recent concert: “First concert was Alabama at Wisconsin State Fair and most recent concert was Kenny Chesney at Am Fam Field (Kenny was good, but I was really there to see Zac Brown).”
Favorite movie: “‘Top Gun’ 1 and 2. Do I really need to explain why?”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Hospitality | Entertainment
Executive director and CEO
Wisconsin State Fair Park | West Allis
In spring 2022, Shari Black was officially promoted to executive director and chief executive officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park after having served as its interim leader since fall 2021. Black oversees the team of 50 full-time permanent staff and more than 1,000 seasonal employees responsible for putting on the annal event that draws one million visitors to the fairgrounds every summer. Off season, the park also hosts hundreds of public and private events at its various facilities. Black joined the State Fair in 2016 as its event services director after spending 15 years as executive director of the Waukesha County Fair Association.
Education: Bachelor’s, Carroll University
Hobby/passion: “I love history. I love to read about it, visit historical locations, look at pictures, artifacts, etc. Anything to do with history is fascinating to me.”
Fun fact: “I can back up a trailer or hay wagon like no one’s business.”
Toughest business challenge you’ve ever faced: “Finding a way for us to generate revenue without having a fair (during COVID-19). Our teams were very strategic in developing programming, which allowed us to provide some of the most beloved fair experiences without a fair. We were able to create several new revenue sources that helped us keep our staff employed, give our fair patrons a taste of the fair and stay financially viable through 2020.”
Career advice: “Always stay true to who you are.”
