HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Susan Sankey announced she will leave the agency effective Jan. 31.

Sankey is leaving to become the director of development for the Kansas 4-H Foundation.

In a letter to the Kansas State Fair Board, Sankey described this as a difficult decision to make. “I would like to thank the State Fair Board for this great privilege to have served the people of Kansas. I wasn’t out looking for a job,” she said. “I believe in the mission of the Kansas State Fair and truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this mission and its positive impact on so many others, and especially our young people. 4-H has always been special to me.”

Sankey has been with the fair since 2014 and served as the director of competitions before being selected as general manager following a national search in 2015.

“We would like to congratulate Susan Sankey on her new position and turning her focus to 4-H, which is a vital part of the Kansas State Fair and can only make it a win-win for both organizations,” stated Virginia Crossland-Macha, president of the Kansas State Fair Board.

“Susan has done an outstanding job crafting our vision for the future and the Kansas State Fair Board will continue that mission as we go forward. The Fair Board has a host of options to consider in the coming weeks, as our highly qualified staff continues their hard work for another great 2018 Kansas State Fair,” concluded board president Crossland-Macha.