SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — An assistant commissioner of the State Department of Transportation has been named assistant director of the New York State Fair and will serve as interim director on a temporary basis.
Sean Hennessey, based out of the DOT in Watertown, will oversee planning of the 2022 State Fair.
The decision, first reported by NewsChannel 9 Wednesday morning, was confirmed by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets Wednesday afternoon.
Hennessey will take over for Troy Waffner, whose temporary extended leave of absence has become permanent. NewsChannel 9 was first to report Waffner’s absence and expected departure on Tuesday.
When it comes to Waffner’s health, which became a question during his absence, a Fair spokesperson says he’s “fine.”
Waffner will be moved into another job within Agriculture and Markets, coordinating county fairs.
Phone calls and text messages to Hennessey haven’t been returned.
The Fair is scheduled to run for 13 days: August 24 through September 5, 2022.
