Executive Staff
Leading toward the future
View our full departmental contact list.
Email our executive team at ocfexec@ocfair.com.
Michele Richards
General Manager and CEO
Michele Richards was named OC Fair & Event Center’s General Manager and CEO on Dec. 12, 2019. Prior to that she was the agency’s Vice President of Business Development for more than seven years, leading the marketing, communications, sponsorship, creative services, year-round events and exhibits and education departments. She was also an organizational development consultant to OCFEC for 11 years before joining the staff.
Michele has more than 30 years of leadership experience in a variety of fields including advertising/marketing, organizational development, sales and human resources, including over 15 years managing her own consulting practice.
Michele Capps
Chief Business Development Officer
- Agriculture Education
- Communications
- Creative Services
- Exhibits & Education
- Guest Experience
- Marketing
- Sponsorships & Sales
Michele Capps is an accomplished marketing and public relations executive focusing on business development, branding, lifestyle marketing and advertising. Her expertise has been instrumental in the leisure and hospitality industry, particularly at Cedar Fair’s West Coast properties and Palace Entertainment Corporate. Michele has led PR and marketing efforts for a portfolio of 50 properties, including amusement parks, water parks, hotels, restaurants, campgrounds and animal parks.
Ken Karns, CFE
Chief Operating Officer
- Master Site Planning & Capital Projects
- Fair Production
- Security
- Event Operations
- Facility Operations
- Planning & Production
- Food & Beverage
Ken Karns was introduced to the fair/multipurpose event center industry at the Western Fair Association some 33 years ago. He has held a number of different positions from Projects and Facilities Manager, Events and Facilities Manager, Property Services Manager, Director of Operations, Director of Facility Development and Vice President of Operations.
Ken’s post-secondary Business/Facility Management and Technical education was completed in London Ontario at Fanshawe College.
Ken accepted the position as Chief Operating Officer at the OC Fair and Event Center in January of 2016.
He has served on several Boards and committees with IAFE, CAFÉ, TSSA, ASHRAE, IAPA and WSPS.
Melissa Au-Yeung
Chief Administrative Officer
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Admissions
- Information Technology
Melissa Au-Yeung was appointed the Chief Administrative Officer on January 1, 2023 and oversees the Finance, Human Resources, Admissions, and Information Technology functions. Prior to joining OC Fair & Event Center, she had more than 18 years of experience working in a wide variety of public agency operations for several local public agencies, most recently serving as Deputy City Manager.
Melissa completed her undergraduate degree at Vanguard University and received her Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Management from California State University, Fullerton in 2006.