Miguel Santana '91, the Los Angeles city administrative officer, has been named president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Fair Association (LACFA), the private non-profit that manages the Fairplex in Pomona.
Dubbed "LA's Mr. Fix-It" by Los Angeles Magazine, Santana brings decades of management expertise and his dedication to public service to the Fairplex, home to the popular L.A. County Fair and hundreds of year-round events. LACFA Board Chair Michael Ortiz hailed Santana's appointment as a "game changer," adding that during Santana's 24-year career in government, he "has tackled some of the region's most intractable problems with amazing results."
In a statement, Santana said he sees his selection as an opportunity to guide the development and management of one of L.A. County's largest public assets.
"This is 500 acres of pure potential," Santana said. “My hope is that by forging even closer ties with nearby communities, local educational institutions and county, federal, state and local public officials, we will transform the mission of Fairplex into a lifestyle – one that creates a 21st century sustainable community and economic engine grounded in its agricultural roots, from the micro-sourcing of our food and craftsmanship to culinary entrepreneurship."
A first-generation student and a Bell Gardens native, Santana was inspired to get involved with government and his community while attending Whittier College, where he joined student government, the board of governors, and the Hispanic student association now known as Amigos Unidos. After graduating with a degree in sociology and Latin American studies, Santana earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Earlier this year, Santana returned to Whittier as the keynote speaker at the College's Latino Graduates Celebration.
