Richard Frenette was named Wednesday as the new executive director at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Frenette comes to the Fair Park after a five-year stint as executive director at the Utah State Fair. Prior to that, he held the same position with the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair for 10 years.

"I am very excited to return to my home state to lead the Wisconsin State Fair Park," said Frenette. "I look forward to continuing the growth of State Fair and maintaining its status as one of the premier fairs in the country."

He began his career at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in Chippewa Falls before joining the Minnesota State Fair as finance director in 1986.

His hiring comes after a six-month search during which 70 candidates from around the nation were interviewed to replace Randy Prasse, who stepped down in December 2008.

"The Fair Park Board felt that Mr. Frenette's more than 20 years in top management and leadership roles in the fairs and expositions industry combined with his knowledge of the public sector, sponsorships, finance, strategic planning, agriculture and marketing and promotions, made him the right candidate for the job," said board chair Susan Crane.

"His active involvement and certifications within the industry convinced us he was the right person for this position."

He will begin work next month. This year's Wisconsin State Fair runs from August 5 to 15.