By Nancy Burch

The credit for getting Don Jordan involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo belongs to his uncle. More than 50 years ago, that uncle took his young nephew, who was in town for a visit from his hometown of Ingleside, Texas, to the Houston Fat Stock Show held in the Sam Houston Coliseum. It was the calf scramble that first captured the youngster's attention. "I watched those boys go after the calves," Jordan reminisced, "and I thought to myself that I could do that."

Soon afterward, the family moved from Ingleside to La Marque, and Jordan joined his high school's newly organized 4-H Club. He inquired about the calf scramble and subsequently became one of the club's two entrants in the 1948 event.

"My parents owned a grocery store in La Marque," Jordan explained, "and they couldn't leave the store to take me to the rodeo." So, on that Saturday, he rode the bus into downtown Houston, asked for directions and made his own way to the Coliseum. When the calf scramble ended, the record books reflected that the third calf across the line belonged to Jordan. "It was sponsored by the Houston Building and Trades Council," he said. He still has the photograph that was taken that night.

In those days, the winners took home the actual calves they caught. Jordans' parents arrived at the rodeo in time to transport their son and his Hereford calf in the back seat of their four-door sedan home to La Marque.

In 1956, after graduating from The University of Texas, Jordan returned to Houston to join Houston Lighting & Power Company. Before long, he joined the Show and began what so far totals more than 40 years of volunteer service. He was the first chairman of the Group Sales Committee and served on many other committees. In 1974, he was elected to the board of directors, and he became a Show vice president in 1976. Since 1986, he has been a member of the Executive Committee, and, in 1992, he was appointed chairman of the Audit Finance subcommittee. Jordan served as Show president from 1993 to 1996 and completed his three-year term as chairman in May of 1999.

While Jordan was rising through the Show ranks, his corporate career was advancing along a similar path. In 1971, he was named vice president and assistant to the president of HL&P. Three years later, he became its president, and, in 1977, he was named president and chief executive officer of HL&P's parent company, Houston Industries, which was recently renamed Reliant Energy. Jordan has led this Fortune 500 company, one of the nation's largest energy companies, for more than 22 years, a remarkable accomplishment. He recently announced his plans to retire as chairman of the board on Dec. 31, 2000.

Don Jordan brought a lifelong love of the Show in addition to the skills of a Fortune 500 executive to his three-year term as chairman of the board.

Commenting on Jordan's role at the helm of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, General Manger Dan Gattis said, "He contributed, as do each of our presidents and chairmen, a unique perspective and range of experiences to the job. Don brought us the Fortune 500 management style and way of doing business and the efficiencies of working with management and staff that come from running a huge company. Along with that, Don's love for the Show runs deep, and he is always willing to give the time to take care of the Show's business, even when he is immersed in Reliant Energy matters."

"I compared my job as president of the Show and Dan's as general manager to the difference between the CEO and the COO of a big company," said Jordan. "I saw no reason to meddle in the day-to-day operations when there is an excellent staff of people who simply need the latitude to do their jobs well."

"Over the past six years, as Don has served as president and chairman, I feel our personal relationship has grown as well," said Gattis. "It has been such a pleasure to work with him. He typifies the corporate and civic leader, and that's the strength he brings to the organization. I expect him to continue to contribute as he remains on our Executive Committee and most likely assumes the chairmanship of one of our standing subcommittees."

Jordan echoes that thought, saying he wants to focus on the future of the Show as it moves into the 21st century. "We'll be dealing with changes in and reconstruction of our facilities, and other issues as well, like pay-per-view telecasts of the Houston Rodeo," he said. "We need to consider the most efficient use of our off-site property on Highway 288, too. Then there is the most important part — our educational support. As the composition of Houston and Texas changes, our range of services expands. Agriculture always will be important, but today most people have no direct connection with it. We always will remember our roots, but we must expand our horizons. We, as members of the Executive Committee, are trustees of the Show's money, and we have an obligation to use it well, making selections that bring the most value to the community.

"The Show has to change with the times and the interests of its customers, just like any business," continued Jordan. "We are the largest civic event in the Greater Houston area, and we touch more lives now than ever before. Our community is much different than it was some years ago, and our 12,000-plus volunteers reflect the diversity of our city. The genius of the Show is the lack of distinction among differences in race and economic status. It's a mix of people, all of whom contribute to the team on an equal basis."

Jim Bloodworth, Jordan's successor as president and chairman of the Show, praised his predecessor's management skills. "It has been an honor to serve under Don," he said. "I was constantly amazed at what he was able to accomplish for the Show while he had so many other demands on his time. I've had the great advantage of following a president who handed me an organization in great shape. It made my job much easier -- all I've had to do is keep things on track.

"Don gave us a great entrée into the downtown Houston business community," said Bloodworth. "Also, his reservoir of experience in the corporate world benefited the Show immensely. As a past president and chairman, he will continue to have a leadership role, which is one of the great strengths of our organization. As members of our Executive Committee, our past presidents continue to share their expertise for years to come."

Don Jordan undoubtedly will continue to contribute to the Show well into the next century. Meanwhile, he can look back over four decades of accomplishments with great pride.

Congratulations, Don, for your outstanding service and dedicated leadership that has contributed greatly to the growth and success of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Letters and comments should be sent to:
Marketing and Public Relations Division,
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
P.O. Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225-0070