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Fair called him home

Chuck Pesano left Tampa to crunch numbers in Milwaukee. Now he's back - with an expanded vision for the state fair.

By SHERRI DAY
Published February 11, 2005

TAMPA - Chuck Pesano is a career numbers guy with an eye trained on the bottom line.

So what happens when a corporate finance guru meets the Florida State Fair?

Massive growth, according to Pesano's business plan.

"What I bring to the table is a business sense about looking at the future and what we can do to make it better," said Pesano, who was tapped to lead the Florida State Fair Authority in October.

"The bottom line is we want to enhance the use of the facility. And, quite honestly, we want to create some positive cash flow."

Accounting and finance lingo may easily creep into Pesano's conversations but, make no mistake, he's no penny-pinching grinch.

In the days leading up to the fair, which runs through Feb. 21, Pesano was possibly more excited than the patrons.

On a recent tour of the fairgrounds, Pesano eagerly pointed out new attractions. His eyes brightened at the mention of freshly painted fair rides and Galaxy girl, a performer who does stunts atop a 127-foot pole. And, of course, he knew the numbers: 84 rides, 17 thrill games and an anticipated crowd of 500,000.

Pesano, who grew up in Tampa and lives in Valrico, has come home. Had it not been for a whirlwind of career opportunities, he said he may have never left.

"It's an exciting period of time," said Pesano, 52. "When I was young and living here as a school kid, never did I imagine that I'd come back here and run things."

Pesano was born near Cleveland, Ohio, but spent much of his early childhood in Tampa's Drew Park neighborhood. Pesano and his parents, principals in the longtime local band Jo Jo and the Buddy Guards, moved to Palma Ceia when Pesano was 12.

In 1971, Pesano graduated from Plant High School as the valedictorian of his class. He repeated his star academic performance at the University of South Florida, where he graduated with honors in accounting. Along with the grades, he also got the girl. He married his high school sweetheart in 1973.

Pesano spent much of his early career in accounting and finance jobs in the Tampa Bay area. An opportunity to work for the Wisconsin Center District, which operates Milwaukee's convention and entertainment centers, took the Pesanos north in 1993. As the chief financial officer, Pesano helped build a new convention center, acquire a 12,500-seat arena and renovate a theater.

"He did exactly what he was supposed to, and he made sure we stayed out of trouble," said Richard A. Geyer, president and chief executive of the Wisconsin Center District. "He's a good guy. He is a visionary that looks at other opportunities. It's not just numbers. It's what's in it and how you get to the numbers."

Despite his successes in Milwaukee, Pesano longed for home.

He and his wife made frequent visits to the Tampa Bay area where their parents still lived. Their 22-year-old daughter, Jessica, is a senior at Tampa's International Academy of Design and Technology.

When a longtime friend told Pesano about the state fair post, he seized the opportunity.

Now, he spends his days envisioning fairgrounds that teem with activity long after the fair leaves town. He's proposing a music festival with vendors, a small midway and a dozen stages that feature performances by artists in genres ranging from rock to gospel.

Pesano is also dreaming up a bigger fair for 2006. His wish list includes an opening night concert with country music star Faith Hill. A big-name act, he says, would attract more attendees and generate more money for the fair authority.

But Pesano is not all dollars and cents.

"He's so sentimental," said his wife, Phala Pesano. "He tries to come across pretty businesslike and very professional, but he's very, very sentimental."

He cries at sappy movies. He nears tears when he speaks of his wife. He also beams with pride when he talks about his daughter, an aspiring fashion designer who teases him for wearing $13 jeans from Sam's Club.

Pesano describes himself as highly energetic, task-oriented, and eager to challenge and be challenged.

"I don't ever work on cruise control," he said. "I've got to be moving forward. I've got to be doing something that is proactive and positive."

Sherri Day can be reached at 813 226-3405 or sday@sptimes.com

AGE: 52

JOB: Executive director, Florida State Fair Authority

FAMILY: Wife, Phala; daughter, Jessica

HOBBIES: Playing golf, woodworking

FAVORITE FAIR RIDE: Roller coasters

TOP FAIR FOOD: Elephant ears

ON HIS BOOKSHELVES: More than 1,000 CDs

TOP RECORDING ARTIST: Phil Collins

[Last modified February 11, 2005, 22:30:03]