Top Administrator for Ventura County Fairgrounds Resigns : Entertainment: Mike Paluszak, credited with host of improvements over past 10 years at the Seaside Park facility, will start his own firm. His last day is Dec. 31.

The top administrator for the Ventura County Fairgrounds announced his resignation Tuesday, ending his 10-year career at the massive entertainment facility to start his own event-management company.

During his tenure, 45-year-old Mike Paluszak helped boost annual fair attendance, oversaw a rehabilitation of the Seaside Park fairgrounds and spearheaded construction of the Derby Club, where gamblers now spend more than $2 million annually on off-site horse wagering.

“It was a surprise, and it’s sad for us,” fair board President Virginia Weber said of the announcement. “The bottom line is, his will be a tough act to follow.”

Paluszak told Weber and other board members of his decision Tuesday morning during the regular monthly meeting of the state’s 31st Agricultural District. His last day of work will be Dec. 31.

“I made the decision to pursue some exciting private business opportunities” Paluszak said later Tuesday. “As an industry, we are experiencing some growing pains, and there is a need for professional project assistance. I plan to capture some of those opportunities.”

In fact, Paluszak has already named his new company, Crystal Events, and said he plans to run it from his home in Ventura. He will bid on jobs in the state-run fair industry and other special events, he said.

He hopes to do consulting work for fair districts or coordinate entertainment for county fairs or local festivals.

Organizing conferences, business meetings and product promotions will also be among his duties.

He is precluded from bidding on any Ventura County contracts for one year but can seek work in any of the other state agricultural districts.

Paluszak said he is confident the business contacts he has made in the state fair industry, for which he has worked 21 years, will help him succeed in private industry.

His co-workers agree.

“We consider it very fortunate to have had him for 10 years--that’s a long term in this industry,” said Teri Raley, a spokeswoman for the fair district. “He stewarded the facility through some wonderful improvements, and he has done a great deal.

“His biggest accomplishment is that he gentled us into the next century,” she said.

During the past decade, Paluszak--described as a practical, no-nonsense leader--helped the district’s budget grow by $1 million to its current total of more than $6 million.

He oversaw construction of the $5.8-million Derby Club and refurbished the fairgrounds at Seaside Park with new signs, fencing, computers and interior remodeling of several buildings.

He also boosted the number of corporate events and parties held at the Derby Club and helped retain strong attendance at car and gun shows and business expositions.

Under his reign, attendance at the annual fair grew by more than 30,000 people to a record number of visitors this year--276,859.

A major contributing factor to the fair’s growth, he said, was the eradication of gang violence.

The fair board supported a city-backed plan this year to legally bar more than two dozen hard-core gang members from the fair. The city was able to do this after receiving a signed permanent injunction from a judge.

There were no reports of gang violence at this year’s fair.

“The fair itself is a better fair,” Paluszak said. “I think it’s a place where families come and relax and feel comfortable.”

The search for a person to replace Paluszak in the $86,000-a-year position will begin immediately. An ad hoc committee has been formed and will publicize the vacancy in newspapers and trade magazines, Raley said.