Gold Country Fairgrounds CEO Ales announces retirement

Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center CEO Don Ales will retire from his position on Jan. 1, 2026, after nearly a decade of leadership, according to a press release from the fairgrounds. Ales took over the fairgrounds nine years ago at a time when the organization was struggling financially. His goal, he said, was to restore stability and transform the facility into a thriving community event center. Under Ales' leadership, the fairgrounds experienced record-breaking attendance, major infrastructure upgrades and improved financial security. Among the highlights of his tenure, Ales oversaw the two most successful Gold Country Fairs in the organization's history and guided the fairgrounds through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the release. In 2020, the fairgrounds was one of the few in California to host an in-person Junior Livestock Auction, which supported local youth exhibitors and resulted in record sales. Ales also prioritized capital improvements, completing more than $2.2 million in infrastructure enhancements, the release says. He established the largest cash reserve in the organization's history and secured a $1.1 million grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to install new HVAC systems, upgrade electrical infrastructure and modernize one of the most frequently rented facilities on the grounds. His tenure was also marked by a cultural shift within the organization, as he assembled a new leadership team and, according to fairgrounds officials, fostered a workplace culture defined by collaboration, innovation and accountability. "My goal was to leave the fairgrounds better than I received it, and together we achieved that," Ales says in the press release, reflecting on his time at the fairgrounds. Fairgrounds officials in the press release described Ales' impact as "transformative," citing both the physical improvements to the property and his focus on community engagement and youth in agriculture. "Don's leadership has left an indelible mark on the Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center," the organization says in the release. "While his presence will be greatly missed, his contributions will continue to inspire the future of the fairgrounds."