Cassidy named new Eastern States Exposition CEO

Date: 12/27/2011

December 26, 2011

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Donald R. Chase, chair of the Board of Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced the appointment of Eugene J. Cassidy to the position of president and Chief Executive Officer of ESE, effective June 27, 2012. Cassidy will be the Exposition’s seventh CEO in its 95-year history, succeeding Wayne McCary who has served in that capacity since 1991 and has announced his retirement, effective June 26, 2012.

Cassidy joined ESE as director of finance in 1993 and was named executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer in March. He is currently responsible for the financial management of the company, strategic planning, developing a plan for year-round growth at ESE and furthering the agricultural and educational mission of the Exposition. He represents the Exposition regionally and nationally in the fair and outdoor amusement industry and acts as a liaison with community and local government.

A native of West Springfield, Cassidy was educated at St. Thomas the Apostle School and remains active on its School Board and Finance Committee. He is a graduate of West Springfield High School and Western New England University where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. He began his career at Main Hurdman and KPMG in Springfield.

Cassidy then served as treasurer of the Chicopee Cooperative Bank and Colonial Mortgage Company and was assistant vice president of Park West Bank and Trust Company, all wholly owned subsidiaries of Westbank Corporation, West Springfield.

He serves on the Finance Committee of the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation, is treasurer of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of Legatus and is active in the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. He is also accredited as a certified fair executive by the IAFE and served as program chair of the organization’s International Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2010.

He resides in Longmeadow, with his wife, Catherine, and two sons, Brennan and Colin.