Over the past 25 years, Clinton County 4-H’’er Steven Thelen has volunteered on three fair boards serving as treasurer and chairing several committees. In January 2008 he used his previous fair experience to become the Jackson County Fair Manager. His prior profession was a sales representative for fire, police and EMS equipment. Thelen also served as a volunteer firefighter for eight years, serving in several leadership positions. He has also assisted several communities in raising funds to purchase fire equipment. A 4-H leader for over 25 years, Thelen has served on the State 4-H Livestock Programming Committee and as a beef superintendant for the county and state fairs. He is currently chair of the county livestock and dairy committee and a founding member and treasurer of the Washtenaw Ag Boosters/FFA Alumni. He has served on several committees for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, served as vice chair for the Freedom Township Planning Commission, and is currently a member of the Lodi Township Planning Commission. His affiliations include Michigan Angus Association board member, Southeastern Michigan Angus Association director and president and Michigan Junior Livestock Society board of directors and secretary for 10 years. A member of Michigan Farm Bureau since 1987, Thelen has served on several committees including the county promotion and education committee, county Project Rural Education Day (RED) and chaired the Washtenaw County Ag Rescue Training Day for county firefighters. In 2005, Thelen was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by the Michigan Association of Fairs and Expositions and in 2006 he received the Honorary FFA Degree from the Michigan FFA Association and the Michigan Junior Angus Association’s Adult Appreciation Award.