The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted July 7 to appoint Zach Spohn to the Bonner County Fair Board, filling one of the body’s seven seats with a candidate whose financial background and deep family roots in the county’s agricultural community set him apart during the selection process.
The vote had been a long time coming. Spohn first interviewed for the position in April, but a series of delays — stemming from scheduling conflicts and an extended application deadline — pushed the final decision into July. Commissioners ultimately cited his professional financial credentials as a central reason for moving forward with the appointment.
A Financial Background Built for the Role
Spohn currently serves as chief financial officer of Wildwood Custom Millworks, where he oversees the company’s financial reporting, budgeting, and accounting operations. Prior to that role, he worked at an accounting office, building experience managing organizational finances from the ground up.
In remarks made during his interview process, Spohn described what he sees as his core contribution to the board. “Experience that I might bring to the table would be experience in operating a business from a financial seat,” he said.
That background takes on added significance given the circumstances surrounding the seat’s vacancy. The position opened after Staci McBrayer, who had served as the board’s treasurer, stepped down from the Fair Board to transition into the role of Fair Manager — a move that left a gap in the board’s financial oversight capacity at a critical operational level. Spohn’s accounting and CFO experience positions him to step directly into that function.
For more on the BOCC’s recent Fair Board appointment activity, see the earlier report on Bonner County Commissioners appointing a Sandpoint finance professional to the Fair Board.
Multi-Generational Ties to the Bonner County Fair
Beyond his professional qualifications, Spohn brings something less quantifiable to the role: a family history woven into the fabric of the Bonner County Fairgrounds itself. His connection to the fair spans multiple generations, with relatives involved in 4-H programs and livestock exhibitions reaching back to some of the organization’s earliest years in the county.
“My mom also took market animals at the fair and my grandpa also took market animals to the fair and my great-grandpa was involved with one of the first 4-H clubs,” Spohn said during his interview.
That generational investment in the fair’s agricultural mission gives Spohn a perspective that complements his financial expertise. He has also indicated a desire to help broaden the fair’s appeal, expressing interest in expanding programming and community engagement beyond its traditional agricultural focus — an ambition that could help grow attendance and revenue streams for the event.
One Seat Remains Open
With Spohn’s appointment confirmed, the Fair Board now has six of its seven positions filled. One seat remains vacant, and the BOCC has already scheduled the next round of interviews for July 28, with a time still to be determined.
Members of the public interested in observing or participating in the interview process can attend in person at the Bonner County Administration Building, located at 1500 U.S. 2 in Sandpoint. Remote access is also available via Zoom through the county’s official meetings portal at bonnercountyid.gov/meetings.
The Fair Board plays an essential governance role in planning and operating the annual Bonner County Fair, overseeing budgeting, vendor relationships, event programming, and the long-term stewardship of the fairgrounds. Filling all seven seats before the summer fair season is a priority for county leadership.
What Comes Next
Commissioners will convene the final Fair Board interview session on July 28 to consider candidates for the seventh and last open position. Anyone seeking to apply or follow the process should monitor the county’s official meetings schedule. With Spohn now seated and one position remaining, the board moves closer to full capacity ahead of what promises to be a busy fair season for Bonner County.