Contact: Wendy Faulconer, Executive Director
(660) 530-5620 Office
(660) 473-4852 Cell
msffoundation@sbcglobal.net

MO STATE FAIR FOUNDATION SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(Sedalia, Mo.) — After an extensive and thoughtful search, the Missouri State Fair Foundation (MSFF) has selected Wendy Faulconer as its new executive director.

“Wendy Faulconer is the ideal person to lead the Foundation into the future,” said Marion Lucas, Foundation Chairman. “Faulconer’s leadership, expertise, and passion for the Missouri State Fair will enable the Foundation to succeed in its mission of preserving, improving and perpetuating the rich heritage of the Missouri State Fair.”

Faulconer has more than 15 years experience working with non-profit organizations and public agencies. She has administered and written grants for the Missouri Department of Education, Missouri Department of Transportation, private foundations, and public schools.

Faulconer has worked closely with the Resource Development staff at Children’s Mercy Hospital to raise thousands of dollars. She is currently Chair of the Children’s Mercy Regional Council, and a member of the Benton County 4-H Fair Board, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Benton County Historical Society. Faulconer is a long time resident of the area and resides in Warsaw with her family. The Fair has been a family tradition for four generations.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the new director of the Foundation, which has made so many important contributions to the Missouri State Fair; and to have the opportunity to take the Foundation to new levels that will have an even greater impact on those who participate in the Fair.”

As the Foundation’s full time director, Faulconer, will carry on the tradition of excellence established by her predecessors. These are challenging times, especially in the nonprofit sector, Faulconer said, however, there is tremendous energy and excitement at the Foundation for growing a philanthropic base that will help the State Fair successfully overcome the challenges of today while building for the future.

“I am looking forward to working with the Foundation’s outstanding board members, donors and volunteers to advance this important work. Together we will continue preserving and creating blue ribbon memories at the Missouri State Fair,” said Faulconer.

2503 West 16th Street * Sedalia, MO 65301
(660) 530-5620 * msffoundation@sbcglobal.net * www.mostatefairfoundation.net

August 11, 2011
Contact:
Tom May, Director of Marketing
MFA Oil Company
573-876-0311 or 573-819-1515
tmay@mfaoil.com

MFA Companies’ Donation Funds New State Fair Arena
MFA Coliseum Annex Arena

Columbia, Missouri – MFA Incorporated, MFA local affiliates and MFA Oil Company announced a $200,000 contribution to the Missouri State Fair Foundation to fund the construction of a covered Coliseum Annex Arena on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.  The new building will be called the MFA Coliseum Annex Arena.

Construction of the new 70 by 220-foot structure will cover the current warm-up ring located north of the historic Coliseum, converting it into a versatile livestock facility for both warm-up and competition uses.  The new addition to the Missouri State Fair livestock facility will be used for the State Fair as well as for more than 40 off-season events.

“This new Arena will provide a high quality facility for Missourians to showcase their livestock year-round,” says Jerry Taylor, current president of the MFA Foundation, “and continues the MFA companies’ commitment to supporting the rural communities that we serve.”

The contribution will come from the MFA Incorporated Foundation, MFA Oil Foundation and the joint MFA Foundation, to which the companies contribute.

“We are thrilled with this significant contribution from the MFA Companies to construct the covered Coliseum Annex Arena,” says Marion Lucas, chairman of the Missouri State Fair Foundation.  “It will bring a tremendous value to the State Fair for many years to come.”

About Missouri State Fair Foundation:
The Missouri State Fair Foundation, formed in 1998, is an independent, not-for-profit that seeks to improve the State Fair grounds through the construction of new facilities and the renovation of existing buildings, many which of which are on the National Historic Register.

About MFA Incorporated:
MFA Incorporated is a Midwest-based regional farm supply and marketing cooperative serving more than 45,000 farmer/owners in Missouri and adjacent states. Our 106 company-owned MFA Agri Services Centers combined with 27 locally owned MFA affiliates with 24 branch locations contrast nicely with our approximately 400 independent dealers.

About MFA Oil Company:
MFA Oil Company, formed in 1929, is a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 40,000 members. The company supplies fuels, lubricants, and propane to customers in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky and Iowa. Through a subsidiary, MFA Oil operates Break Time convenience stores in Missouri and Arkansas and Jiffy Lube and Big O Tire franchises in central Missouri.

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