Carol Kenley 
Occupation:  Homemaker                            
secretarymb@hotmail.com 

Why do you wish to serve on the Board of Directors?
The Alaska State Fair has meant a lot to me and my family for many years.  I would like to serve on the Board of Directors because I feel I have had broad experience with the Fair and can contribute to the Board in a positive way.  I have time to offer and a desire to serve.

Summarize work experience; including budgets and supervisory duties.
I have been employed for the past thirty years as the mother of seven children and the wife of one husband.  Managing a budget was my major responsibility and because I am very adept at it, I was able to stay home and raise my children without having to seek outside employment.  Supervising the homework and extra-curricular activities of our large family was very demanding, I believe I am a whiz at supervising, just ask any of my children!

List any volunteer activities, including board experience
Three years as President of 4-H Leader’s Advisory Board 1998-2001.  Three years as President of 4-H Large Livestock Committee 2003-present. Chairman of Community Nativity Display 2003-2006.  Member of Palmer Lions Club 2006-2007.  Member of Northland Pioneer Grange 1999-present.  Student Coordinator of Northland Pioneer Grange’s Ag in the Class project 1996-present.  FFA Parliamentary Procedures Team Coach 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007.  Colony Middle School Music Booster Secretary 2003-2004.

How have you participated in the Fair in the past?
Growing up in the Valley, I have been a fairgoer all of my life.  I have always loved the Fair!  As a youth I entered exhibits and I still make entries from time to time.  My recent involvement with the Fair has been through 4-H.  All seven of my children have been extremely active in exhibiting everything form livestock to vegetables to baking.  It has been a wonderful event which the whole family has enjoyed for years.  I have been the manager of the petting zoo which is sponsored by GCI and run by our 4-H club.  I have volunteered at the Fair in a variety of ways including scooping up behind the ponies in the parades, demonstrating pie making, cow milking and butter churning.  I’ve been a volunteer in the Republican Women’s booth, taken tickets at the gates, I’ve even helped train the All Alaskan Racing Pigs!  I have been the announcer at the Jr. Market Livestock Auction, walked miles in the show ring following the judge and handing out ribbons and I believe I’ve sampled about every food booth at the fair (I think I’m stretching it here, I never did get to try the frog legs)!

Summarize what you value most about the Fair.
I value the family atmosphere that the Fair has.  Being a farmers daughter and a hobby farmer myself, my specific interest is in the agricultural exhibits at the Fair.  I love the whole event, but I believe that the heart of the Fair is it’s agricultural roots; take that away and it will only be a carnival and business exhibition.

What is your vision for the Fair and do you have specific goals?
I would like to help the Fair retain its rural flavor.  I would like to continue to bring in budding talents like we’ve seen in the past.  The Fair needs to be a safe place to bring your family to.  I support the efforts that are being made to bring year-round usage of the Fair facilities.  My goal is to work hard if elected and to give my very best effort.