Tanana Valley State Fair Association Appoints New
Executive Director Faith Harris
Fairbanks, Alaska - The Tanana Valley State Fair Association Board of Directors has named Faith Harris the new Executive Director of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association (TVSFA).
Harris’ background in non-profit administration and development, combined with a deep passion for community engagement, will help to further advance the mission of the organization. “We are thrilled to welcome Faith as our new Executive Director,” says Coleen Turner, TVSFA Board President and Acting Executive Director since November 2021. “She brings experience, passion, and fresh air to our organization. We look forward to her leadership as we work toward the 100-year celebration of TVSFA, and beyond.”
Harris’ previous experience includes serving as the Operations Head at the Port Angeles Food Bank; Executive Director and Co-Founder of Peaceful Acres Company, an agricultural products non-profit; and a Business Development Advisor to over 40 nonprofits, businesses, executive directors, board of directors, and regions. Through that work, she built a strategic collaborative network among prior competitors by creating a region-wide 20+ organizational partnership and has extensive experience with volunteer management. Harris relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska from southern Oregon with her family upon accepting the position.
“The Tanana Valley State Fair Association has a rich history as a community pillar,” Harris says. “For almost one hundred years, the organization has supplied valuable services and a strong increase in revenue and jobs to the borough. I am honored and excited to be a part of TVSFA as we forge with the community into our next century together.”
TVSFA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to hosting an annual fair that serves as a community gathering point featuring family fun for all. Our core values are family, community, diversity, engagement, partnership, and fun. Founded in 1924, the Tanana Valley State Fair is the oldest fair in the state, operating on over 100 acres in the heart of Interior Alaska. Our signature event is a 10-day fair held in August that features livestock, arts and crafts, competitive exhibits, games, rides, contests, entertainment, and vendor and information booths. The 2023 Tanana Valley State Fair is scheduled for July 28 to August 6. The theme is “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart.” The colors will be pink, teal, and green; the flower is a succulent; and the vegetable is a zucchini.