State Fair Leadership

David Tobias joined the Fair in 2011 and has held several positions during his tenure, most recently Director of Operations and Human Resources. Tobias oversees operations and human resources, plus spends time working with the maintenance team on long-term strategic initiatives.

Tobias grew up on a farm near Lyons. He has a Bachelor of Crop Science degree from Fort Hays State University.

LaMonna Galyon serves as the General Manager's Administrative Assistant. She is also the Kansas State Fair Liaison to the Fair Board and the Entertainment Coordinator.

She and husband, Chris, have raised four children — Nicolle, Taylor, Riley and Cooper — in Sterling, Kansas where they reside.

Jacki Eckert is responsible for the development and implementation of education programs for both children and adults. This includes managing the Fair's new Education Center and organizing field trips.

Education programs take place year-round on the Fairgrounds. Part of the Fair's education curriculum is on the importance of pollinators. Eckert has worked to create pollinator gardens across the Fairgrounds and recently helped the Fair become an official Monarch Watch Waystation.

Eckert attended Hutchinson Community College and the University of Kansas. She and her husband, Bret, have one son, Clay.

Amy Bickel, who has covered the Kansas State Fair for many years as a journalist for The Hutchinson News and, most recently, the High Plains Journal, is the Fair’s Director of Marketing. She oversees all marketing efforts, entertainment and ticketing, plus serves as the Fair's public information officer.

Bickel has an Agriculture Communications degree from Kansas State University. She and her husband, John, have three daughters — Brett, Kaci and Jordie.

Jenn Galloway is the Competitive Exhibits Director. She joined the Kansas State Fair 2014 and was most recently the Fair’s Livestock Coordinator. Galloway oversees all Kansas State Fair competitions, including livestock and creative and traditional competitions.

Email: Nicole.Jaskoski@ks.gov

Connie Schmitt is the Fair's Industry Relations and Development Director. She is responsible for increasing the Fair’s corporate sponsorship revenue and supervising the sales team. Schmitt also works directly with the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation to grow capital funds to meet the Fair's long-term goals.

Schmitt has been with the Fair since May 2007. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Fort Hays State University.

Marla Parsons joined the Fair team Sept. 1, 2018 as Sponsorship and Special Events Coordinator. She spent 27 years with Kwik Shop in numerous marketing and special assignment roles.

Parsons lives in Hutchinson. She and her husband, Troy, have two grown children.

Susan Fullmer is the first person patron's see at the Fair's Administration Building - greeting and helping people at the front desk. She also is the Fair's facility rental assistant.

Fullmer was born and raised in Hutchinson and has had a love for the Kansas State Fair her entire life.

Email: Susan.Fullmer@ks.gov