Directors of the 22nd District Agricultural Association appointed a former Sonoma County Fairgrounds administrator Friday to replace Del Mar Fairgrounds CEO Carlene Moore, who was fired unexpectedly April 14.
Rebecca “Becky” Bartling retired in December 2024 from Sonoma, where she was CEO for nine years. She oversaw all departments, budget development, the Sonoma County Fair and live race meet, non-fair events, and emergency evacuation operations, according to the 22nd DAA’s news release.
Bartling began her career in 1994 as box office manager at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, officials said. She later became deputy general manager there and then was chief operating officer from 2006 to 2015.
During that time Bartling “established the paid parking department, implemented automated ticketing, created a group sales department, launched the annual Scream Zone Halloween event, and led other special projects,” according to the release.
“Becky Bartling is a highly respected fairgrounds executive with deep experience in operations, public service and emergency response,” said board Chair Sam Nejabat in the release.
“She knows this organization, understands its mission, and appreciates the important role the Del Mar Fairgrounds plays in the life of our region,” Nejabat said. “Her proven leadership, operational expertise and longstanding connection to this institution make her exceptionally well qualified to lead the 22nd DAA into its next chapter.”
Bartling has served on the board of the California Fairs Alliance and was a founding member of California Emergency Response Resiliency Venues and Fairgrounds, helping advance infrastructure funding and awareness of the role fairgrounds play during emergencies.
“I am honored to return to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and serve as CEO of this remarkable organization,” Bartling said in the release.
“This place has long been meaningful to me,” she said. “I look forward to working with the board, staff, partners and community to support the fairgrounds’ mission, strengthen its operations, and help ensure a successful future for the San Diego County Fair and all of the events and programs this campus makes possible.”
Bartling said she has committed to stay in the position through at least September 2027, while the board considers conducting a nationwide search for a long-term CEO.
No reasons were given for Moore’s termination after leading the fairgrounds for more than five years, though during her tenure the district faced costly legal disputes over contracting and employment issues.
The board’s 8-1 vote to fire Moore, with Director Phil Blair opposed, came during the first meeting for newly appointed directors Ted Miyahara and Elsa Morales-Roth.
Miyahara is the president and CEO of the San Diego Community Housing Corporation, and Morales-Roth is executive director of the Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
The 22nd DAA is responsible for 324 acres in three distinct properties.
The largest of those is the 212-acre main campus, which includes the fairgrounds and its administrative offices. There’s also the 48-acre Surf & Turf park for RVs and recreational facilities just east of the fairgrounds, and a 64-acre equestrian center farther east at Via de la Valle and El Camino Real.
At present, the association has roughly 80 year-round, full-time employees, although the number varies and part-time jobs can swell into the thousands during the fair in June and early July.