The position as CEO of Seaside Park provides a starting salary of approximately $78,000 per year. Applications were received from potential candidates in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington, as well as California. Of the 119 original applicants, six were chosen for final interviews. According to Seaside Park Board of Directors President Virginia Weber, “The selection process was exhaustive, and we were fortunate to have had such a large number of qualified applicants. Making a final decision was not easy, and we are extraordinarily pleased that Mr. Gibbs was interested, enthusiastic and able to accept the position. He brings a wealth of experience, capabilities and skills to the position, and we are delighted to have him as our new CEO.”
Roger Gibbs named new CEO of Seaside Park
December 29, 1999
Santa Paula News
The Board of Directors of Seaside Park in Ventura, home of the annual Ventura County Fair and The Derby Club, has announced that Roger Gibbs will succeed Michael Paluszak as chief executive officer of Seaside Park and the 31st District Agricultural Association. Paluszak, who resigned after 10 years as CEO in order to pursue business interests in the private sector, will leave the position effective January 1, 2000. Gibbs will assume his new position on January 10.
Educated at California State University, Chico, 53-year-old Gibbs has been the CEO of the Colusa County Fairgrounds and the 44th District Agricultural Association for 16 years. He is also the outgoing president of the Western Fairs Association. Colusa County is approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento.Although Seaside Park is a significantly larger operation than Colusa, Gibbs is looking forward to the challenge. “The Board of Directors of Seaside Park was extremely thorough in its evaluation of the candidates for this position. I appreciate their confidence in me and my abilities, and I look forward to leading Seaside Park towards even greater successes. This facility is now considered one of the best in the state, and I am confident that we will continue to improve it in the future while maintaining the integrity of its history and traditions.”Gibbs has been married to wife Sharon for nine years, and they have five sons and three grandchildren. According to Mrs. Gibbs, who is currently program manager for Health Education for Glenn County Health Services, moving to Ventura is almost like moving home. “I attended Poinsettia Elementary School in Ventura through the sixth grade before my family moved away, and I still have cousins, aunts and uncles in Ventura and Oxnard. Not only is this a great opportunity for Roger, but it’s also going to be wonderful to return to such a beautiful county and to live so close to my relatives,” she said.