Meet the NWSFA Team

The team of the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association are all active members of the Chippewa Valley community
supporting the events and economic impact that the Association delivers through events it hosts and/or coordinates.
Each team member has a passion directly connected to the strategic mission and opportunities we provide.

We believe in hard work, integrity, collaboration, teamwork, and communication -
but most of all, we believe in fun and celebrating new traditions.

Rusty Volk, CFE | Executive Director
rvolk@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861 ext. 102

Commonly known as 'Ramblin' Rusty', Rusty provides vision and leadership for the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association. As a farm boy, Rusty is committed to the Fair and Agriculture industry with roots as co-owner of his family's dairy farm, owner and operator of Rusty Volk Distributing as a wholesale dairy distributor, and currently serving as the Executive Director.

Rusty is instrumental in the strategic vision and development of the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. He is often sought for consultation by multiple leaders in the Fair industry, within the state of Wisconsin, and across the nation.

Rusty is a servant leader actively involved in numerous leadership roles within the local community and currently is enjoying his role as Papa to four grandchildren.

Cindy M. Boggess, IFMG

Assistant Executive Director & Junior and Open Fair Manager

cboggess@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861 ext. 105

Cindy's connection to agriculture, event logistics, and Fair exhibitions fuels her passion for her career. She leads the Association’s marketing strategies and oversees the Junior & Open Fair, Meat Animal Program, and Fairest of the Fair Program, among other key responsibilities. Cindy enthusiastically refers to Fair season as “the best time of the year,” just as she did growing up as a 4-H and FFA member exhibiting llamas and market lambs.

Driven by an appreciation for travel, adventure, and Iced Americanos, Cindy transitioned from a financial marketing career to the Fair industry, embracing the environment of carnival rides, barn boots, and show trophies.

A graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management, Cindy has completed extensive professional development in the industry’s core competencies. She actively participates in national and state industry committees and serves on the Chippewa County Tourism Council, Chippewa Falls Police & Fire Commission, and various McDonell Area School affiliations.

Beth Welke | Fair Vendor & Event Manager
bwelke@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861 ext. 104

Our “city girl” of the team, Beth joined us after a career in administration and education. The value of learning has not been stalled as she isn’t timid to ask questions from agricultural and animal leaders, who in turn are more than willing to share.

A huge fan of fairs and the community, her passion for organization is capitalized within her role as our Fair Vendor and Events Manager. Being a ‘crafty person’, she can bring a different perspective to creativity and conversation and looks forward to working with all events the grounds will host.

When not at the Fairgrounds, Beth enjoys spending time with her adult children and bird dogs, traveling, reading, and exploring area coffee options.

Debbie Baier | Finance Manager

dbaier@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861 ext. 101

Debbie was adventurous to take the leap to join the fair industry after a long-term regional management position in a wholesale building materials company. Her intricate attention to detail ensures the budgets are balanced and reports are submitted.

What started as a part-time "help with the books" position (allowing her to spend more time at home as her kids grew up), turned into a full-time position with multiple fair and finance roles within the Association over the many committed years. She has graduated back to a part-time (mainly) finance role but continues to incorporate her past experiences and knowledge as she mentors the new Association members.

Summer weekends not during the fair season are typically spent on the lake with her valued friends and family members. Debbie is married to Randy, the proud mother of three adult children: Tyler, Dani (Stephen), and Megan (who many have seen running around in various roles at the Fair over the past 10 years) and the dog-mom of our team's commonly referred to 'office dog', Oliver.

Joe Seckora | Facilities Manager

jseckora@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861

The Master Engineer of All, if Joe isn't thinking of what can be built next to better the fairground's facility - he's probably already in the midst of building it. Having a lifetime of experience, Joe leads the facilities and buildings related to maintenance and updates throughout the fairgrounds. In his free time, he enjoys time with his family and traveling with his wife Lisa visiting friends and family located throughout the states.

Dawn Totzke | Fair Exhibit Manager

dtotzke@nwsfa.com | 715.723.2861 ext. 103

If you've exhibited at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, you likely have worked with Dawn, our go-to extraordinaire of all things Fair Project Exhibition! During the school year, she combines her love of technology and reading as a Library Media Specialist for the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District.

Throughout the year she is busy behind the scenes preparing online registration and ordering ribbons. Dawn can be found in the Fair Office during the June and July months, organizing all the needs and details of our Junior and Open Division exhibitions.

Dawn and her husband, Jim, are empty nesters who enjoy traveling and outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, kayaking, and ATV riding.