This story is based on reporting by the Kentucky Lantern’s McKenna Horsley and is published with attribution.
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky State Fair Board voted Wednesday to remove Kentucky Venues President and CEO David Beck, less than a week after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Gov. Andy Beshear has the constitutional authority to appoint members of the board.
The board also named former Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry as interim president and CEO, according to reporting by the Kentucky Lantern. Beck had led Kentucky Venues, which manages the Kentucky Exposition Center and other state-owned event facilities, since 2018.
The leadership change follows last week’s 4-3 Kentucky Supreme Court decision striking down a law passed by the General Assembly that shifted appointment authority for the State Fair Board from the governor to the state agriculture commissioner. The court ruled the change violated the Kentucky Constitution’s separation of powers because it removed meaningful executive oversight of the board.
Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Beshear said the court’s ruling reaffirmed that the governor is ultimately responsible for executive branch boards and agencies.
“If I’m going to be accountable, then the person who heads that board and runs that operation has to be willing to be accountable to me and work with me,” Beshear said, according to the Kentucky Lantern.
The governor also said Beck had indicated he did not believe he should answer to the governor’s office, leading Beshear to conclude new leadership was needed.
The Kentucky State Fair Board oversees the Kentucky Exposition Center, the Kentucky International Convention Center and other state-owned venues that host hundreds of events annually, including the Kentucky State Fair, which is scheduled to begin next month.
The board’s action comes as the Beshear administration works to reestablish oversight of the board following the Supreme Court’s decision, which restored the governor’s appointment authority.
This story is based on reporting by the Kentucky Lantern’s McKenna Horsley and is published with attribution.
