Sonoma County Fair hires Rebecca Bartling as CEO

A high-ranking fair manager from San Diego County has been hired to take over the top post at the Sonoma County Fair.

Rebecca Bartling, 58, is stepping down from her position as chief operating officer and deputy general manager for the Del Mar Fairgrounds this month to become the Sonoma County Fair’s chief executive officer. She replaces Katie Fonsen Young, who was appointed as interim fair manager last year after Tawny Tesconi stepped down to take a position as director of the county’s General Services Department.

Tesconi is also running for Sonoma County supervisor. Fonsen Young is resuming her previous position as deputy fair manager, officials said.

Bartling is set to begin her position on Dec. 14.

“I’m really excited about coming to Sonoma County,” Bartling said. “There are so many great opportunities.”

The top post at the fair has been renamed chief executive officer. Formerly, the position was referred to as fair manager. The fair’s board of directors hired Bartling last month.

Bartling has worked for the Del Mar Fairgrounds for 22 years. She said that over the past two decades, she has helped build attendance and revenue by bolstering events, activities and other major draws during the San Diego County Fair, such as horse racing. When she started, annual revenue was about $19 million, and today fair operations take in more than $76 million a year, Bartling said.

The Sonoma County Fair is significantly smaller, with an annual budget of about $10 million. Bartling said she is looking forward to the move, pointing out that she became interested in the position when she first visited the fair a few years ago.

“This is a beautiful fairgrounds, and it has wonderful things like the harvest festival, horse racing and the fair itself,” Bartling said. “It’s a real regional asset.”

Bartling said she is looking to boost events and attendance at the fairgrounds by creating new events and festivals during the annual fair, which takes place in late summer. Her ideas include enhancing nighttime entertainment and building a strong slate of off-season event offerings.

“I’m thinking a craft beer festival, car shows, Latin entertainment … and concerts,” she said.

Bartling is taking a pay cut for the position. She earned $165,000 last year in her position with San Diego County. Here, her salary is set at $144,000 per year.

“I’ve been looking to make a change in my life,” she said. “And I think there are some really fabulous opportunities with the Sonoma County Fair.”

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.