Former CEO Maynard Potter Passes Away

California Mid-State Fair CEO Vivian Robertson, along with the Board of Directors and staff, are deeply saddened to learn that Maynard Potter, former CEO for 25 years, passed away Friday, March 19, 2010. Robertson, who worked under Maynard Potter for 16 years prior to his retirement, said, "Maynard was instrumental in the overall development of the Fair, and most importantly, provided a solid foundation for some of us, like myself, in our careers."

Maynard Lee Potter, 70 of Emmett, Idaho passed away on March 19, 2010. He was born in Watsonville, California on May 3, 1939 to Ralph and Margaret Potter. Maynard grew up in Watsonville on his parent’s ranch in Larkin Valley raising tomatoes, hay and sheep. His experiences in the Future Farmers of America influenced much of his life. After graduating from Hartnell College in Business and Animal Husbandry he attended San Jose State. Potter served in the Army and National Guard for 12 years and graduated from Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1962, he entered the real estate business in Watsonville, California. After the market took a downturn, he became more and more interested in raising and showing Registered Suffolk Sheep.

It was this that attracted Maynard to the Fair Industry and in 1968 he became manager of the San Luis Obispo County Fair in Paso Robles, California. Under his 25 years of leadership the Fair evolved from a small county fair to one of the biggest, most widely-attended happenings in Central California. Maynard is credited for being the first fair manager to bring named entertainment to a fair. The California Mid-State Fair was lauded as the largest entertainment fair in the nation, attracting acts like Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie, Alabama, Rod Stewart and countless other entertainers at the peaks of their careers. He accomplished this while keeping the fair an affordable, family oriented, Disneyland-type setting that showcased agriculture.

Upon retirement in 1993, he and his wife Becky moved to Emmett, Idaho. Maynard pursued his life-long dream of owning and operating a family ranch. Maynard and his family raised Registered Angus and Gelbvieh cattle and show sheep. Potter also served on the NRCS Soil Conservation Board and presided over the Enterprise and Reed Water Irrigation Districts.

Maynard is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Becky; four children, Monica Potter, Todd (Georgianna) Potter, Scott (Sherry) Potter, Kevin (Michelle) Potter; his sister Martha (Ed) Burnell and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Kristian Matthew Potter and his parents Ralph and Margaret Potter.

He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 26, 2010 at Potter Funeral Home in Emmett.

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