After almost four decades with the Lloydminster Exhibition, General Manager Michael Sidoryk announces his retirement.
Seemingly emotional with his family by his side, Sidoryk announced his plans to retire in seven months during a press conference at the exhibition grounds on January 30th.
“I knew it was going to be a tough day but the vision is so bright for this association for this community, and even for myself. I’ve had 38-years of some of the best experiences of my life. I’ve shared with my family, I’ve shared with this association, I can not think of a better community to live in or work with.”
Sidoryk’s retirement has been in the making since he first announced his decision to the Board of Directors two and a half years ago. Mentioning that as we get older we can’t keep the same pace as we used to, at 57-years-old, Sidoryk says he wanted to take time for himself and his family.
“I think it’s time for people to transition out to continue for the association to grow and prosper. I think it was my time I feel in order to allow the association and the community to grow because the same ideas don’t always work and the same plan doesn’t always work.”
Sidoryk considers his team a part of his family, he said their response to his announcement was positive.
“It’s good to be able to transition out when we have such a good team here to keep this association growing and thriving.”
Over the next few months, Sidoryk will work with the board of directors in finding his replacement. Board of Directors Vice President Ron Weaver says the biggest task will be defining Sidroyk’s workload.
“That’s a tall order because there is not a lot of people that can do what he does. The contacts that he has and the impact he’s had in the community is immense.”
“He’s set the tone as far as how this place functions with the family feel. There is never really a decision made around here that doesn’t involve a number of people’s opinions. He understands that his job is to make tough decisions but he has always been good to work with from the boards’ point of view.
Sidoryk became a Lloydminster Exhibition employee in 1981, and began planning and organizing events as the Agriculture Manager in 1985. Sidoryk has led and organized the association as the General Manager since 1989.