Updates
Balloon Fiesta Announces Paul Smith Returns as Interim Executive Director
December 18, 2023
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Incorporated, a 501-C-3 Not-For-Profit New Mexico Corporation, announced that Paul Smith will return to serve as its interim Executive Director, following the departure of Sam Parks, late last week.
The Board of Directors announced it is beginning an immediate search for a new executive director to lead the 21-member staff.
Paul Smith retired from Balloon Fiesta earlier this year, providing the organization 26 years of service. Paul initially connected with Balloon Fiesta as a pilot in 1982 when he participated in his first Balloon Fiesta.
Before his promotion to Executive Director, Sam Parks served as Balloon Fiesta’s Director of Operations. Sam Parks is also the longest serving Balloonmeister for the event, a role he provided from 2013 to 2018.
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About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is a festival of hot air balloons that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. The 2022 event generated $203.19 Million into the Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico economies. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.
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