About Us
The Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation of Santa Clara County (FHF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is the preservation, promotion and development of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds as the County’s premiere community gathering place. Our mission concerns the whole fairgrounds — all 150+/- acres including the various buildings, the annual Fair, and the year-round activities and events. Our focus is representing the diverse county residents and their desire for maintaining this iconic public space as it is built into the future.
The FHF was founded in 2015 for the primary purpose of accepting donations in support of the county-owned Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is managed by a nonprofit, the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Corporation (FMC), but is loosely controlled by the County. The Heritage Foundation was formed as a separate 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization due to the the concern of some private donors to donate directly to the FMC. Their concern was that the County could divert donations for other non-Fairgrounds purposes.
The FHF Board is all-volunteer with no employees or facilities. We work with FMC to determine the Fairground’s needs and solicit funding and in-kind support accordingly. We serve as independent stewards pledged to ensure that all donations are applied directly to the needs of the Fairgrounds. Current needs include preservation projects, maintenance and the beautification of the Fairground’s land and buildings, and the acquisition of equipment and memorabilia.
Our Board Members
David Peck
President
David is a founding member of the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation (FHF) and currently serves as its president. Born and raised in Saratoga, he has a long-standing connection to the fairgrounds through 4-H, the Youth Hall of Fame, and over 30 years as a board member of The Clover Foundation. David is passionate about giving back to local youth, inspired by the support he received during his nine years in 4-H, as a livestock exhibitor at the Santa Clara County Fair, and as a 4-H Diamond Star.
He has also served as a board member for the SJA Water Polo Club in the Almaden area. Professionally, David is employed at AWS, where he has focused his Silicon Valley high-tech sales career in Telecom. He attended The Colorado College, graduating with a BA in Biology.
Marcella Gulmon
Vice President
Marcella Gulmon was born and raised in San Jose, married and raised her children in San Jose. In addition to serving on the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation Board, Marcella is the Fairgrounds Heritage Curator. She played a vital role in 2019 to re-establish the fairgrounds archives to locate, record, and preserve the fairgrounds history to curate the Diamond Jubilee 75th Annual Fair Heritage Exhibit. In 2021 she introduced the use of virtual walkthroughs of the Exhibit for those that did not feel comfortable attending the Fair in person, a feature that still continues to be used. Her research into the history of the Fair and Fairgrounds never stops, including keeping an eye out for historical memorabilia and artifacts advertised in online sites, speaking with long-time fair attendees and supporters, and researching historical archives.
A graduate of San Jose State University, Marcella has served in a variety of leadership roles in the YMCA, Notre Dame High School of San Jose, 100 Women Charitable Foundation and 4-H. She and her husband have lived for many years in Almaden Valley.
Colleen Alger
Member
Colleen Alger has been a dedicated volunteer with the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation since 2022, enjoying the organization’s growth and new partnerships.
Her connection to the Santa Clara County Fair began at age 10, showing her champion chicken, “Champ,” and Boxer dog, Sadie. As a 4-H member, she entered exhibits in sewing and food preparation. Her involvement continued into adulthood through exhibit entries and as a fair judge. Colleen encouraged her children, Aaron and April, to participate in 4-H and the fair.
Beyond the Foundation, Colleen is an active 4-H adult volunteer, known for leading sewing projects and hosting Favorite Foods Day.
Outside volunteering, she enjoys traveling with her husband and hobbies like sewing and quilting. A San Jose State University graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies, focusing on therapeutic recreation and gerontology.
Colleen loves connecting with people and hearing their fair stories, whether from decades ago or just last year.
Michael Lara
Member
We are thrilled to welcome Michael Lara to the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation (FHF) board! A dedicated librarian at the San Jose Public Library’s California Room, Michael has a deep passion for history and archiving. His journey began while studying history at Foothill College, where a professor offered a volunteer opportunity for a final assignment. Michael chose to volunteer at the Santa Clara County Archives, where he cleaned, rehoused, and digitized photographs from the County Fair. This experience sparked a career in archiving, leading to roles at King Library for San Jose State University and SJPL.
Michael was introduced to FHF last spring and quickly connected with the foundation. He collaborated with the team to host a summer 2024 FHF exhibit in the California Room, showcasing the rich history of the Fairgrounds.
As an avid historian, Michael is particularly excited about the upcoming 2025 Fair, which will feature an aerial photograph exhibit at Heritage Hall. This exhibit will highlight the fairgrounds area from the 1930s onward, along with county maps dating back to 1890. Michael looks forward to sharing these historical treasures with the community and celebrating the rich heritage of the Fairgrounds!
Diane Kneis
Secretary
Born and raised in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley, Diane’s roots in the region run deep, quite literally. Her Italian grandfather settled on Bascom Avenue in the 1950’s and was a rancher known for his prized white peaches and Bing cherries, and that agricultural heritage continues to inspire her today.
Some of Diane’s fondest memories trace back to her high school days at the Fair, where the first stops were always the Orange Julius and Strawberry Shortcake booths before heading straight to Fiesta Hall to admire the Competitive Exhibits in gardening, baking, preserves, and arts & crafts. The photo booths were, of course, a must. A lifelong admirer of all things handmade, Diane loved sewing and baking classes in junior high and high school and still cherishes the care and creativity that go into making something from scratch.
For Diane, her involvement with the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation is more than a civic duty; it’s deeply personal. The Fairgrounds represent a living link between Silicon Valley’s agricultural past and its vibrant present, and she is passionate about helping preserve that legacy.
A graduate of Santa Clara University and a seasoned Silicon Valley realtor for over 2 decades, Diane looks forward to supporting the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation in safeguarding its stories and treasures for generations to come.
Barbara Suit
Treasure
Barbara Suit recently joined the Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation in March as Treasure. Her children thrived in the 4-H program, which inspired her continued involvement in youth development and community service. Barbara has been an active volunteer leader in 4-H and also serves on the Clover Foundation board.
Professionally, Barbara is a Dyslexia Specialist dedicated to supporting students and families in overcoming learning challenges. She is a passionate youth advocate committed to creating opportunities that help young people succeed.
Advisory Board Members
Lynne Brown
Lynne Brown, advisory member, originally joined the FHF Board within a few months of its formation. A Fair fan for many years in the Midwest, FHF’s struggle to maintain the Fairgrounds as a public space was an immediate draw. Lynne’s 35 years of business experience in high tech and nonprofit boards has enabled her to fill many roles in the Heritage Foundation. She has frequently combined her engagement with the arts in San Jose with her Board membership to the advantage of both.
Keri Rees
Keri Rees was a founding member of FHF and previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank, where she managed small business accounts before retiring. She became familiar with the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds through her work with the Fairgrounds as one of the Bank’s clients. Keri served on the Board for over 10 years and continues to support FHF as an Advisory Board Member.
Board membership is currently OPEN.
We are looking for new members with a passion for preserving the Fairgrounds’ Heritage and/or building for its future. Board meetings are held monthly. Committees are formed and meet as needed.
Want to get involved?
The Fairgrounds Heritage Foundation (FHF) invites community involvement back to revitalize this amazing property. The key to our success is through incredible, dedicated volunteers. It doesn’t take big commitments to make big changes. Every little bit of time impacts the forward progress of the Fairgrounds.