WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two Eastern States Exposition (ESE) employees have been appointed leading roles in the International Association of Fairs and Expos (IAFE), a nonprofit corporation that represents fairs worldwide. ESE Director of Security Cliff Hedges has been granted the position of Chairman of Safety and Security at IAFE, and Sales Innovation Manager Mackenzie Coburn is taking on the role of Chair of the Sponsorship Committee. In their new roles, Hedges and Coburn will help promote the development of fairs and expos such as the beloved Big E. Holyoke Community College holds Registration Express event Hedges, of Longmeadow, has worked in public safety for many years before his six years as the Director of Security at ESE. He started working as a police officer in Dallas, Texas and moved on to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 26 years. He eventually wound up conducting several criminal investigations in Springfield for the FBI, which brought him to Mass. In his job at the IAFE's Safety and Security Committee, Hedges will oversee monthly meetings to address topics that affect fairgoers, such as risk assessments and de-escalation. He will also instruct courses and conduct active shooter training. Mackenzie Coburn, of Colrain, joined ESE as a marketing intern after receiving her Bachelor's in Communications at Westfield State University. Coburn was soon after hired as a brand marketing coordinator and aided the team in redesigning the ESE and Big E websites, rebranding competitions and programs, and developing style guides. Coburn became an IAFE Ambassador in 2023. As Chairman of the Sponsorship Committee, she will lead monthly conference calls, host live discussions, and mentor fellow committee members. For more information on the organization, visit fairsandexpos.com. Local News Headlines Eastern States Exposition employees receive roles in International Association of Fairs and Expos Fall River man charged with sending cocaine through mail Holyoke Community College holds Registration Express event Survey shows excessive holiday spending carries debt into the new year WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.