Mission Statement

The Marion County Agricultural and 4-H Fair Association, under the guidance of the Board, in partnership with the greater community, shall endeavor to preserve the agricultural heritage of Marion County while celebrating and promoting positive family values, fostering community partnerships and promoting cultural understanding in an ever-changing urban environment through showcasing our 4-H and youth development opportunities that will result in a vibrant, cohesive community.

Executive Board

President
Dick Switzer is a teacher, a lawn-care professional and an active church member. He has two degrees in music from Butler University and taught in public school. In 1977 he started Dick Switzer Lawn Care, Inc. and has been a member of the Indiana Professional Lawn Care Association for over 25 years. As a member of Centenary Christian Church (DOC) he currently serves as Fincancial Secretary, Elder, conducts a small orchestra, sings in the choir, and plays in the Bell Choir. Married for 45 years to wife, Sue, they have two adult children, Andy and Rachael, who graduated from Warren Central High School.

Ron Phillips: Vice President Vice President
Ron Phillips, married to Gloria for 32 years, sons Ben and Drew and daughter Emily. Representative with Western-Southern Financial for 30 years. Active member of Old Bethel UMC. Involved in Warren Township, Founder of Dads of Warren Central and instrumental other areas regarding fathers. Recipant of the Mayor's Volunteer Partnership Award in 1999.

Secretary
Jim Curseaden has been member of the Marion County Fair for several years. Jim was elected to the Marion County Fair Board Representing Washington and Lawrence Townships. He brings with him an extensive public safety background in both law enforcement and fire safety. He is also a member of Indiana Task Force One, and has responded to a number of major incidents including The World Trade Center on 9/11, as well as number of other natural disasters throughout the Southern U.S.

As Jim heads into his second year on the board, he was also elected as a member of the Executive Board as its Secretary. In addition, Jim enjoys his association with the fair as a complete opposite contrast in his community involvement in public safety, loving every aspect of the fair, from the family fun and family smiles, not to mention the fair food!

Treasurer
Don Glowinski is married to Cheryl DeVol/Glowinski and they have 5 children, Anna, Donnie, Sam, Ben and Maggie. Occupation :service manager for Johnson Melloh Inc. a family owned mechanical contractor. Graduated Southport High School 1979, Member of Holy Name Catholic Church, Local 440, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Children's Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art. Don is also in charge of Concessions and Commercial Exhibits, the HOrticulture Building and Shows, the Arts and Crafts Building and is Poultry Superintendent.

The Board

Cathy Clark is a lifelong resident of Marion County. Her love and interest in improving the community is a passion of hers. Cathy and her husband Jim own two businesses--Clark Lawn Service since 1972 and Re-Power! Outdoor Equipment Sales and Service. Cathy's son Ryan is a Sophomore in College in Phoenix, AZ, studying Golf Course Management.

Cathy is a Charter member and volunteer at the Historic Ft. Benjamin Harrison YMCA, and is actively involved in the Lawrence Chamber of COmmerce, the E. 38th St. Neighborhood Association, and is past Chairman of the Board of Glendale Christian CHurch. Her other interests include snow skiing, volleyball, and tending to her three blue-eyed Siberian Huskies. A quote that best describers her is,"If you aren't happy, get busy and make a difference."

After many years in the livestock business, Bill Dowden has spent the last fourteen years as a senior public policy consultant with Golden Rule Insurance Company. He and his wife, Rowena, have four children and eleven grandchildren. Rowena, a retired Certified Critical Care nurse, holds degrees from Indiana University, while Bill is a Butler University graduate.

Bill has been very involved in the community since returning from the Marine Corps in 1953: member of the Board of E.49th St/E 91st St Christian Church; Boy Scout leader; Little League coach, Marion County Extension Board member; and member of the Marion County Fair Board. He also served thirty-two years as a member of Indianapolis-Marion County Council.

Nadeen Biddinger has been a Board member for the past four years and previously served as the Treasurer. She works for the Government Finance Officers Association and was formerly with Marion County Government for 22 years. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan Summa Cum Laude in 1997. A former 4-H member, Nadeen’s duties for the 2008 fair include the Park Stage and Entertainment, Media Relations, Web Site, Fair Promotion, and publishing the Fair’s Newsletter.

John Koss is a lifelong resident of Irvington, and spent 28 years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, three years with the Excise Police and for the past three years has served as the Constable in Warren Township. He’s a lifetime member of the Irvington Historical Society, and a member of the Masons and Scottish Rite. John also is a runner and participates in the Pleasant Run Run each year.

Harold Thompson is a 37-year career employee with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the USDA, serving in several positions through out Indiana. He presently serves as the Area Conservationist managing NRCS operations in 25 south eastern counties. He has been actively involved now serves as the president of the Wayne Township 4-H Advisory Board. He is the representative for Wayne and Pike Townships on the Board. He has resided in Wayne Township with his wife, Becky Fletcher, for the past twelve years and has two grown children.

Joe Goins, Sr

Joe has been married 36 years to wife Wanda, and is the father of three daughters and one son. He is grandfather to five grandsons. Joe has lived in Decatur Township most of his life. He raised and showed Southdown sheep in 4-H as a child.

Joe works at IUPUI and has been employed there for the past 29 years. He has been a 4-H leader for 25 years. Prior to being a Board member he served as the Marion County Fair’s Sheep Superintendent for 20 years. He has been the Breed Manager for Southdown at the Indiana State Fair for the past 14 years.

Joe has been a member of the Decatur Central Lions Club (Past President) for ten years and a member of the Marion County Extension (Past President) for eleven years.

Aaron Irwin is an Assistant Vice President in the Business Banking group of National City Bank. The Business Banking Group specializes in providing credit, deposit, and other bank services to small and emerging businesses in the Indianapolis market and surrounding counties. Aaron has been with National City for fifteen months and has 6 ½ years of banking experience.

Aaron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Hanover College. He also maintains Life Insurance, Series 6 and 63 licenses. A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Aaron is actively involved in several local organizations including: Southside Catholic Business Professionals (President-elect 2008), Kiwanis of Warren Township, United Way, and volunteer football coach for St. Barnabas School.

Aaron and his wife, Jill, have been married since July 2005. They are expecting their first child in May 2008. Jill is a School Psychologist in Franklin Township. She comes from a rural community in Southern Illinois, where her father and brother continue farming operations today.

Carol Waterman is co-owner of Waterman's Farm Market near the fairgrounds. Their business offers fresh, in-season produce and is known for high quality strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes and pumpkins. Their Fall Festival in October is a premier event in Indianapolis. Carol and her husband have two children and two grandchildren. Carol is also Vice President of the Indiana Farm Market Association and on the commodity advisory board for the Indiana Farm Bureau.