James Fisher, Executive Director for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF), is returning to his roots in northwest Missouri next month as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, which is headquartered in St. Joseph where he was born. He grew up on a farm near Agency, Missouri where his 89-year-old mother, Phyllis Fisher, still resides.
Fisher’s 18 counties of responsibility will take him to within sight of Kansas City on the south to the middle of the Show Me State on the East. No matter where he goes, Fisher will know the territory and the people he will be associated with.
When Fisher drives off the fairgrounds for the last time May 8, he can look back with fond memories of all that was accomplished during his five-year tenure with the KFF.
The James Fisher Story
The James Fisher story has undergone many twists and turns in the 40 years since graduating from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, where he achieved a dual degree in Animal Science and Agriculture Economics. Following graduation, Fisher served in a succession of positions including an 18-year stint with the American Angus Association headquartered in St. Joseph. Other career stops for Fisher include six years with the Pregnancy Resource Clinic and more than five years as an Account Executive with Eagle Radio, both in St. Joseph.
Next, Fisher took a position with the Community in Schools for the Dallas Region in Texas, for a period of four years.
Then, fate intervened and Fisher was on his way to Hutchinson for his next career stop.
The Foundation Finds Fisher
Fisher, then living in Dallas, retained an interest in livestock and while attending the Cattleman’s Congress in Oklahoma City had a chance meeting with Mary McCurry, chairman of the KFF Board of Directors. The two had known each other from previous involvement with the American Augus Association. McCurry told Fisher of the job opening and urged him to apply if he was Interested in the position.
Fisher applied and soon he was in Hutchinson for a face-to-face job interview with McCurry, and long-time board members Kate Evans and Brad Rayl. Both Fisher and the board representatives liked what they saw and heard. A job offer from the board and Fisher’s acceptance all occurred in a period of less than 24-hours, and it was a done deal.
Fisher was no stranger to the Kansas State Fair having participated in Angus- related meetings on the fairgrounds for multiple occasions. In about 1990, while attending the Kansas State Fair, he stuck around long enough to attend a George Strait concert. Fisher has a love of state fairs. To date, he has attended 27 State Fairs throughout the nation.
Fisher’s Impact
One need not look far to find someone to sing his praises. McCurry said Fisher was exactly what the Foundation needed five years ago. “James was already known and respected in so many circles that overlapped the footprint of the Foundation,” McCurry said. “In his time here he has forged an immense network with sponsors, vendors, volunteers and leaders across Kansas.”
In his time here he has forged an immense network with sponsors, vendors, volunteers and leaders across Kansas.
Mary McCurry on James Fisher
“The adage ‘his word was his bond’ holds true for James,” McCurry continued.
Rayl uttered similar sentiments. “James has the ability to work in front but not too proud to work behind the scenes to make an event very successful,” Rayl noted. “One of James’ favorite lines was it’s amazing how much gets done when you don’t care who gets the credit.”
James has the ability to work in front but not too proud to work behind the scenes to make an event very successful.
Brad Rayl on James Fisher
Fisher’s first year on the job could be called a “baptism of fire.”
Dr. Ed Berger, Interim General Manager for the Kansas State Fair came calling early in Fisher’s tenure with no good news regarding Capper House, a structure that saw its beginning with the first Kansas State Fair in 1913. “Dr. Berger told me Capper House was structurally unsound and would need major renovation or face demolition,” Fisher said.
A first estimate for repairs of $600,000 was revised to be double that amount.
A quick fundraising campaign, including $700,000 from Kansas cooperatives, $100,000 from the KFF and a $450,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce saved the day. The following year, the totally restored Capper Cooperative Park was dedicated and the story had a happy ending.
The annual Boots and Bling fundraising auction, established in 2005, was cruising along with an annual audience of 250, but soon grew to 1,000 creating a problem, which, perhaps every happening should hope for in that available space would not permit it getting any bigger.
Then, when the KFF Board of Directors contemplated construction of a $6 million special event venue, construction was soon underway for the 1861 Club, which was dedicated in advance of the 2024 Kansas State Fair. More than 100 events are slated to be held in this venue during 2026.
Reflections on the Job
During a Monday afternoon interview in the White House on the fairgrounds which serves as headquarters for the KFF, Fisher was nostalgic as he talked about the five fast paced years he spent on the job. “The Kansas State Fair is an incredible event,” Fisher said. “I am bullish about the future of the fair as positive things are happening.”
“Also, non-fair events continue to grow as the Kansas State Fair is becoming a destination location for special events,” Fisher said.
Fisher said a fair is a unique event as it must reinvent itself every few years to a new demographic as young people and families visit. “The reputation of the Kansas State Fair and Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation is good as they are forward thinking and are putting resources back into the fair,” Fisher said.
Prime examples of ongoing improvements, according to Fisher are a soon-to-be announced Tree Beautification Project for planting new and replacing old trees on the fairgrounds and constructing a new merchandise store for selling shirts, caps, and taffy during the Kansas State Fair.
For a moment, Fisher was very philosophical and said he has tried to make a positive difference in all the jobs he held during the past four decades, including the KFF Executive Director’s job. He called his next position as the capstone of his career, working in the area where it all started.
For one final question, Fisher’s interviewer asked, what advice would you give your successor? After a few moments of contemplative thought, Fisher takes on a somber look and responds, “Listen more than you talk,” Fisher said. “There is a great wealth of knowledge on the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board of Directors.”
“Listen more than you talk. There is a great wealth of knowledge on the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board of Directors.”
James Fisher on advice for the next executive Director
-Richard Shank
Kansas State Fair Ambassador
Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board Member
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
