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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... (No heading) ... Our View: Charging ahead on supporting electric vehicles ... Rogue River man allegedly copped to fatal knifing, affidavit says ... THE EXPO Fairgrounds has new interim director Koellermeier resigned in December Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM Updated Jan 16, 2015 at 3:07 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM Updated Jan 16, 2015 at 3:07 PM What do you think? --> Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter. » Read more X What do you think? Have an opinion on this story? Send a letter to the editor at www.mailtribune.com/sendletter . » Social News Helen Funk has been named the new interim director of the Jackson County Fairgrounds & Expo Park after Dave Koellermeier resigned as director in late December. The Jackson County Fair Board made the announcement earlier this week. Fair Board President Chris Smith said Koellermeier made the decision to leave his position. "He's a professional guy. He did a lot for the Expo and for the community. He felt it was his time to depart," Smith said. Koellermeier took the reins at The Expo in June 2010 after working as a consultant. He previously had worked as the operations and strategic planning manager for the Oregon State Fair. In summer 2008, Koellermeier won praise for helping turn around the Oregon State Fair, which had suffered from financial losses, neglect and dwindling attendance. He used creative means to improve finances, including calling for an outside audit that revealed embezzlement by an employee, and letting firefighters burn down decrepit buildings for practice to slash a multimillion dollar maintenance backlog, the Portland Business Journal reported. But in fall 2008, Koellermeier was relieved of day-to-day fair operations after the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department received complaints of arguments and confrontations during the fair. He apologized for what he called his "unprofessional" behavior and said he was committed to creating positive working relationships, the Portland Business Journal reported. At the time he was hired to head the Jackson County Fairgrounds & Expo in 2010, county leaders said Koellermeier understood the marketing and financial components of what it took to make an annual fair plus interim special events successful. Leaders said he understood the fair's agricultural roots, but also the need to attract a more urban clientele to fairgrounds events. This week Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan said the fair had a negative balance before Koellermeier's arrival. The county was loaning money to the fair, which is a county department but governed by the fair board. This year, the county is not loaning money to the fair, which has a positive fund balance, Jordan said. Jordan said he can't say whether the improved finances can be attributed to Koellermeier. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners, for example, forgave a loan and charged the amount to the county's general fund. The county also purchased a fair cell tower lease, which provided money to the fair, Jordan said. Meanwhile, Smith, the president of the fair board, said the whole board is excited about the energy Funk is bringing to her new post as interim director. He said the board will advertise for applicants for the director post. "I hope she'll apply for the position," he said. Funk, who lives in Medford with her husband and children, said she does plan to apply for the director post. She said work is already being done to help make the 2015 fair a success. Musical acts lined up for the fair will appeal to diverse audiences, including country music fans for singer Brett Eldredge, people in their 30s to 60s for the rock band 38 Special and teens to 20-somethings for the alternative rock band Theory of a Deadman, Funk said. She said she will focus on current relationships with sponsors, as well as attracting more supporters. "We want to invite more players to the table who want to support families and the community," Funk said. "Gone are the days when the county can fund all departments. We need sponsors, grants and events to bring in revenue. I'm looking at all of them." She said fairgrounds venues are rented year-round for a variety of events, including bridal shows, barrel racing and sportsmen's shows. Smith said he would like to see even more events, including winter concerts and additional bull-riding competitions. "The future looks bright and the economy will help us," he said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .   By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM Updated Jan 16, 2015 at 3:07 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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