Ryan Schooley
President
Prior to acquiring State Fair Mini Donuts, Ryan spent 20 years in corporate sales and marketing and has held a variety of leadership roles with companies ranging from start ups to large international suppliers.
For the past 10 of those 20 years, as a customer of SFMD, he has successfully launched and operated multiple lines of businesses that supported the State Fair Mini Donut product line. With this experience and entrepreneurial spirit, acquiring State Fair Mini Donuts was an easy and natural decision.
It is his goal as a team, to make State Fair Mini Donuts a household name! Through their marketing efforts, countless trade expositions & broadline distributor network, SFMD is on their way!
Ryan is married to his wife, Natalia, of nearly 20 years. They have two daughters (ages 14 and 10), and one golden doodle. As a family, and as company owners, they enjoy being involved and giving back to their community.
When Ryan isn’t in the office or traveling for work, he loves the outdoors. His happy place is on a boat.
Natalia Schooley
Vice-President
Before acquiring State Fair Mini Donuts in 2022 with her husband, Natalia spent multiple years in corporate Global HR roles working directly with C-level administration to support domestic and international goals for one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world.
With her previous experience, in addition to 10 years of operating State Fair Mini Donuts as a customer, she offers insight into many of our behind-the-scenes operations and projects. Throughout the year, you can find her at several trade shows - you’ll leave having a new friend, as she loves to get to know each person, and new customer that joins our State Fair Mini Donut Family!
Natalia also works directly with our marketing team to ensure our customers are receiving the most up to date information and company announcements.
Being the only female in our corporate office - she is always keeping the guys on their toes. There is never a dull moment!
When not in the office or being an Uber driver for their two daughters, she loves to travel, spend time with family and friends - and always dreaming of the next time she can lay on the beach!
Carson Michalak
Director of Operations
Carson’s love and journey with State Fair Mini Donuts began at age 15 when he began working mobile events. Since then, it has been part of the passion behind what he does and provides him the experience to offer firsthand insight into the mini donut business for our customers.
His day to day includes oversight of corporate operations in Davidson, North Carolina, while educating customers on the mini donut industry and helping customers find more efficient and profitable solutions.
When Carson isn’t “slinging” donuts, you can find him spending time with family and friends, playing basketball, or cooking! If you haven’t met him yet- your day will be brighter after you do!
The State Fair Mini Donut team is lucky to have brother’s, Carson, and Landon Michalak, bring the fun and laughs daily!
Owen Stern
VP of Business Development
Bringing 40 years of expertise in the Specialty Baking and Coffee sectors, excelling in driving customer satisfaction, increasing sales, and fostering organizational growth. With a deep understanding of industry trends and product knowledge, strategically identify unique selling points to enhance market penetration domestically and internationally.
Proficient in leveraging technology to engage key prospects, negotiate contracts, and consistently exceed sales targets. Experienced in refining product development and marketing strategies to expand client bases and revenue streams. A results-driven professional with a proven ability to assess, optimize, and implement strategies that deliver measurable business success.
Tommy Shores
Office Manager & Master of Coin
Tommy’s career began with 20 years in his family financial services company assisting clients in building towards a successful retirement followed by 5 years in personal banking. These experiences give him the background that works well with the State Fair Mini Donut team. He enjoys being a part of the family here, working to grow the business, while helping others on our team in any way he can.
When not working, Tommy loves spending time with his wife Betsy and their dog, Hershey. He says his favorite person is his stepdaughter Alexa, whom is off in college in Texas and he is always excited and welcomes any visit home she can make. He enjoys getting away to the mountains when possible and finding time to play golf or ride some trails on his mountain bike keep him sane. Also, smoothest jumpshot in the warehouse!
Landon Michalak
Warehouse Manager & Cultural Enthusiast
Landon joined the State Fair Mini Donut Family in 2021. His primary role, arguably the most important, is managing our warehouses to ensure all of our customers products deliver efficiently.
Never having a bad day, Landon keeps us on our toes! Keep an eye out for his Light Up Lenny, educational videos! You may learn a thing or two…
Lauren Bonner
Marketing
Lauren Bonner is the Marketing Manager at State Fair Mini Donuts, where she combines creativity, strategy, and passion to elevate the brand to new heights. In her role, Lauren oversees social media, curating engaging and fun content that captures the essence of the State Fair Mini Donuts brand and how you too can sell SFMD. She also manages the overall design of the brand, ensuring it remains consistent and recognizable for our customers.
Dan Sher
Founder
Dan founded State Fair Mini Donuts in 1986 and spent many years working on a process to serve fresh mini donuts in quick and easy steps without needing a deep fat fryer on-site. He ran and grew the company to sell its donuts at over 1000 locations throughout North America before selling the company in Jan 2022, after 36 years.
Dan lives in Minnesota with his wife, Greta. They each bring a daughter and 1 grand-daughter to their family. Dan's hobbies are traveling, reading, painting, and working out.
Dan still has a passion for using his experience to help the new owners of State Fair Mini Donuts.
- "I really enjoy being a part of the new State Fair Mini Donut Team!"