Grand Marshal: Mike Daly

Mike Daly was born in Central Oregon and has an Irish heritage. He grew up in Culver, attending Culver schools where his parents ranched. He got his pilot's license at the age of 17 to help facilitate business between the ranch in Culver and their summer grazing range in Crescent.

After graduating from Culver High School he attended the Oregon State Police Academy and later worked as an Oregon State Police Officer in The Dalles, Roseburg, and Baker City. He had a successful career in law enforcement and was promoted to detective and investigator for the last three years of his career. He retired from Law Enforcement returning to Central Oregon to become a private investigator and commercial pilot for a law firm in Bend.

After getting his contractor's license, he started an excavation company and was elected to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board serving for nine years and two years as board chair.

Mike was elected as Deschutes County Commissioner for eight years and was an adamant supporter of the new Deschutes County Fairgrounds. With Mike's help the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Convention decided to host their event at the Expo Center, and Mike recruited numerous friends and construction companies to donate their time & equipment to create an additional 25 acres of parking to facilitate this large event.

Mike also volunteered at the DCF and was a huge support to his late wife Darlene, who participated in the goat program at the fair for many years and was a valuable resource to the 4-H program.

Mike was instrumental in the creation of the Heart of Oregon Corps youth program, whose mission is to empower youth and young adults through employment, job training, education, and service to Central Oregon.

We are honored to have Mike Daly represent the 2023 Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo as Grand Marshal.