By Linda Henson
For Ken Caldwell, one of the most rewarding experiences of the past three years as a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo vice president has been meeting the scholarship winners. "It's a privilege to get to know the scholarship recipients. They reaffirm our faith in our country's future," said Caldwell. In 1988, Caldwell began his affiliation with the Show when he joined the Steer Auction Committee. While on that committee, he served as a vice chairman and then as its chairman from 1994 to 1996. Since becoming involved with that committee, Caldwell has witnessed a tremendous increase in total sales and numerous world records at the auctions. In his first year as chairman, Caldwell added the Steer Starlettes as an official subcommittee, and, in his first year as vice president, women were added as steer selling members of the committee. In addition to the Steer Auction Committee, Caldwell has served as officer in charge of the Black Go Texan, Breeding Poultry, Events & Functions, Membership, Speakers and Trail Ride committees during his tenure as vice president. While serving as officer in charge of seven of the 95 committees of the Show, Caldwell said his term as vice president has given him a deeper understanding of the Show. According to Caldwell, "The Show has been a valuable learning experience. The more you get involved, the more impressed you become with how it all works. The staff is great, and you meet so many fun, generous people."
Charles Grant is just concluding his 25th year of service with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Along with a five-year stint on the Steer Auction Committee, Grant has spent those 25 years working on the Corral Club Committee. Originally, Grant became a member to get out to the Show and to get involved. In 1991, he was elected to the board of directors. According to Grant, he never expected to become a director, much less a vice president. Grant is unique because he is the first vice president to come up through the ranks of the Corral Club Committee. As a vice president, Grant was the officer in charge of the Corral Club General, Corral Club - Division I, Auctions & Receptions, Equipment, Hideout, Special Services, Corral Club - Division II, Arena Club, Committeemen's Room, Main Club, Stockman's Club, Corral Club - Division III, Chute Club, Directors' Club, Executive Suites, Loge North Club, Loge South Club, Press Club, Skybox and Committeemen's Bar-B-Que. While Grant is proud of his service to all of his committees, he is most proud of the improvements and advancements he has witnessed during his association with the Corral Club committees over the past 25 years. Innovations such as computer programming, new member awareness training and ongoing management training have kept the Corral Club on the cutting edge. "The Corral Club is business -- big business. The Corral Club is looked up to for the way they run things," said Grant. For Grant, the most rewarding part of being involved with the Show is seeing the looks on the kids' faces when their scholarships are presented, especially when they tell you that without the scholarship it would have been impossible for them to attend school. Their appreciation makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Red Griffin became a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the 1970s and became an active volunteer in 1986. His wife, Gay, who was a member of the Poultry Auction Committee, was instrumental in getting him involved in the Show. As a committeeman, Griffin served on the International and the Corporate Development committees. As a vice president, he was officer in charge of four committees: Grand Entry, International, Sheep and Goat, and Transportation. He stated it was an honor for him to be elected as a vice president of the Show. "It was a lot of hard work, but I really enjoyed it. It was especially gratifying to work with my fellow officers. We all worked hard, but we all had a lot of fun, too," said Griffin. Griffin said that he has enjoyed his tenure as vice president and has especially enjoyed guiding the growth and development of his individual committees to their full potential. However, one of his fondest memories has been traveling with the members of the International Committee. "The International Committee is such a super committee -- we travel to various destinations around the world promoting the Show, and one of our goals is to increase our travel in order to promote the Show even further." Griffin plans to continue his involvement with the Show because he likes what the organization stands for. "I believe in it. I want to do whatever I can to help. It's been a very dynamic three years. I have loved every minute of it, but I'm ready to pass the torch," said Griffin. While he has enjoyed the past three years, Griffin has this advice to offer future vice presidents: "Have a lot of understanding and patience with your fellow committee members. Let the chairmen run their committees. The stock show is not a democracy. Good leadership is essential."
J. Grover Kelley began his involvement with the Show in 1981 when he joined the Breeders Greeters Committee and rose through the ranks, eventually serving as its chairman. Prior to his election as a vice president, he also served on the Magazine and Parade committees. He was the officer in charge of those three committees in addition to the Commercial Exhibits, Directions and Assistance, and Graphics and Signage committees. The diversity of those six high profile committees enabled Kelley to see the Show from a unique perspective and to understand what a powerful force the Show is in our community. In addition, it gave him an appreciation of the contributions made to the Show by the committee members. "I have always been impressed with the talented and dedicated individuals on all of our committees," said Kelley. "No matter what the challenge, our volunteers always come through. This huge army energizes and motivates an entire community toward a common goal, and the success of our Show is a direct result of their efforts. Our volunteers should take great pride in not only what they do, but how well they do it. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo sets the standard for volunteerism in our community, and it is an honor to be a part of it." Kelley believes the Show's future will always shine brightly. "I hope we always remember that what sets us apart from other organizations is the playful spirit that is woven into the fabric of our Show," added Kelley. "No matter how great the cause, I hope that we are always able to keep the fun in it. I know of at least six committees that were able to do just that. It has been quite a ride."
The year 1976 marked the beginning of Dr. Dan Lehane's involvement with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. That year, Lehane and his wife, Tina, purchased pigs at the Swine Auction and had so much fun they later bought a steer. After the Lehanes attended their first Steer Auction breakfast, they were hooked. Lehane subsequently became a member of the Lamb Auction Committee, where he achieved the Rookie Salesperson of the Year award. Every year since then, Lehane has been one of the leading salespersons on the committee. As a vice president of the Show, Lehane oversaw seven committees: Calf Scramble, Calf Scramble Advisory, Calf Scramble Donors, Calf Scramble Greeters, Health, Lamb Auction, and Plant I.D. and Wildlife Habitat. Lehane acknowledged that serving as a vice president is a lot of hard work. However, he considers it a labor of love as well as an honor and a privilege to have been able to share the hard work with his fellow vice presidents. "The vice presidents are a very cohesive group who work hard, are committed to each other and help each other." He believes their success stems from the example Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President Jim Bloodworth provides. According to Lehane, all the hard work is well worth it, as he and the other vice presidents are rewarded by meeting the scholarship recipients. "They are very competent and successful individuals who will be the leaders of the future. Our future is safe in their hands -- these kids are the good news. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is an amazing behemoth that reaches into the hearts of people. We cannot begin to comprehend the impact the Show has made on people's lives," stated Lehane.
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