Staff

Chris Boleman, PH.D.

President & CEO

Chris Boleman, Ph.D., was named president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ on May 12, 2020. Dr. Boleman joined the Rodeo in 2017 as the executive director of the Agricultural Competitions and Exhibits Division. In 2019, he was promoted to chief mission officer. A native Texan, Dr. Boleman earned a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, where he also has served as Associate Professor.

As chief mission officer, Dr. Boleman led the execution of all mission-related activities, including the livestock and horse shows, educational and commercial exhibits, donors, auctions, sponsorships, grants, scholarships, and other educational programs. A significant part of this position is working in tandem with nearly half of the volunteer committees to provide coordinated and collaborative leadership with the Rodeo’s Executive Committee, vice presidents, committee chairs and staff. In this position, he provided oversight for an approximately $50 million budget and more than $20 million given annually through scholarships, educational program grants and graduate assistantships.

In 2019, under the direction of the Rodeo Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Dr. Boleman was tasked to provide leadership, oversight and management of the Rodeo’s reorganization plan in cooperation with the consultant team. He also led the implementation phase, which took place in the Fall of 2019. Prior to his promotion to chief mission officer, Dr. Boleman served as executive director of the Agricultural Competitions and Exhibits Division, leading the livestock and horse show competitions, auctions and wine programs.

Previous to him joining the Rodeo, Dr. Boleman served as the State Leader For Texas 4-H, where he was responsible for leading the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Throughout his career, Dr. Boleman has provided more than 800 educational trainings and presentations, collaborated with experts in content areas to author more than 100 publications, and supported and collaborated with organizations to provide subject matter expertise through instruction, curriculum development, and/or consultation, with organizations including Texas Association of Counties Leadership Development Program for Judges & County Commissioners, Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Program, Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Program, Texas Association of Fairs & Events Executive Leadership Program, Texas FFA’s LEAD Program, and Texas A&M AgriLife’s Early Career Leadership Cohort.

Dr. Boleman has been very active in the agriculture community throughout his career, and has previously served or is currently serving on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations, including: Texas Association of Fairs and Events, Texas 4-H Foundation, Texas FFA Foundation, North American Livestock Show and Rodeo Managers Association, Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), 4-H National Leadership Committee, National 4-H Council Board and National 4-H Council’s Hispanic Advisory Board.

In addition to his education at Texas A&M, Dr. Boleman has received the University Certificate of Completion for The Art and Science of Leadership Program at Harvard University and the Certificate of Completion for the Governor’s Executive Development Program at The University of Texas.

Dr. Boleman is married to Dr. Randi Boleman, who is also heavily involved at the Rodeo and currently serves as chair of the Communications & Special Services Committee. They make their home in Houston but still try and spend as much time at the family ranch in Brazos County. Dr. Boleman enjoys running, reading, writing and traveling.

KATIE GRAHMANN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Katie Grahmann serves as chief financial officer and is responsible for overseeing all accounting and finance operations of the organization.

In her previous role as senior director of accounting and controller, Grahmann oversaw the Rodeo’s accounting and finance functions, which includes treasury, investments, donations and sponsorships, payables, receivables and fixed assets.

Prior to joining the Rodeo in 2014, Grahmann served as controller at the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, as well as audit manager at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

For over a decade, she has volunteered her professional financial skills, serving many organizations in the Houston community, including the Junior League of Houston, where she currently serves as nominating committee secretary and previously served as financial vice president. She is also a founding board member of Impact100 Houston, a nonprofit organization that includes a diverse local group of women of all ages, stages in life, income levels and backgrounds. Recently, she was honored with the Houston Business Journal’s 2021 “Women Who Mean Business Award,” which recognizes women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community.

Grahmann received a bachelor’s degree of business administration in accounting, a master’s degree in finance from Texas A&M University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.

She and her husband, Scott, live in Houston. In her spare time, she enjoys bike rides with her dad and cooking.

KATIE GRAHMANN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Katie Grahmann serves as chief financial officer and is responsible for overseeing all accounting and finance operations of the organization.

In her previous role as senior director of accounting and controller, Grahmann oversaw the Rodeo’s accounting and finance functions, which includes treasury, investments, donations and sponsorships, payables, receivables and fixed assets.

Prior to joining the Rodeo in 2014, Grahmann served as controller at the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, as well as audit manager at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

For over a decade, she has volunteered her professional financial skills, serving many organizations in the Houston community, including the Junior League of Houston, where she currently serves as nominating committee secretary and previously served as financial vice president. She is also a founding board member of Impact100 Houston, a nonprofit organization that includes a diverse local group of women of all ages, stages in life, income levels and backgrounds. Recently, she was honored with the Houston Business Journal’s 2021 “Women Who Mean Business Award,” which recognizes women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community.

Grahmann received a bachelor’s degree of business administration in accounting, a master’s degree in finance from Texas A&M University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.

She and her husband, Scott, live in Houston. In her spare time, she enjoys bike rides with her dad and cooking.

LISA GAGNON

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Lisa Gagnon serves as chief marketing officer, leading the Marketing, Public Relations & Presentations Division, which includes Brand, Broadcast & Audio Visual, Communications and Merchandise.

Since joining the Rodeo in 2017, Gagnon has led her team on several initiatives, including market segmentation, crisis communications, advertising campaigns and consumer research through surveys and focus groups. She developed the Rodeo’s first-ever brand positioning, redeveloped the organization’s advertising campaign, and oversaw the Rodeo’s 2019 Economic Impact Study.

Prior to joining the Rodeo, Gagnon served as vice president of Marketing for the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee, leading all marketing, brand management and fan engagement efforts. She is a dynamic leader in the Houston community, serving as a board member and committee chairperson for WISE Houston, and actively mentoring young women in the sports and events industry.

Gagnon received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She and her husband live in Houston with their 14-year-old daughter.

JULIE BASS

CHIEF MISSION OFFICER

Julie Beken Bass graduated from Texas A&M University in 2003 with a degree in Agricultural Development. She was a member of the equestrian team during her enrollment at A&M, so with her passion for agriculture and the equine industry, Julie gladly accepted a position with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006 in the Horse Show Department.

Three years later, she moved to a manager’s role in the Exhibits and Attractions Department. After three years in this capacity, Julie accepted a position as the Fair Manager of the Montgomery County Fair in Conroe, Texas.

In the fall of 2014, Bass returned to her roots in the fair and festival industry at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she was named the Executive Director of General Exhibits and Attractions. Six years later, this role ultimately led to her being named the Chief Mission Officer in 2020.

This position includes her overseeing educational and commercial exhibits, agricultural competitions, auctions, and scholarship components of the Rodeo’s 20-day event. This division supports more than 45 committees and is staffed by 24 full time employees.

Amid the pandemic, she was honored with the Houston Business Journal’s 2020 “Women Who Mean Business Award,” which recognizes women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community.

Julie and her husband, Alan, live in Magnolia, Texas, with their two young sons, Tate and Brady. She and her husband also manage a small ranching operation on her family's homestead in Weimar, Texas.

AMBER BURDA

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

MIKE DEMARCO

CHIEF SHOW OPERATIONS OFFICER

Mike DeMarco joined the Rodeo in 1990 as an assistant manager in the Operations Department and was named executive director of operations in 2004. In his role as chief show operations officer, DeMarco manages all aspects of Rodeo operations, event planning, buildings and grounds, and safety and security.

He attended the University at Buffalo and Rice University Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business for administration.

DeMarco is a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Montgomery County Fair Association. He is also a lifetime director of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo and is a member of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, the International Association of Venue Managers and the Main Street Coalition Executive Board.

WAYNE CRANE

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Wayne Crane brings 30-plus years of experience directing business and digital technology transformations to his role as chief technology officer. He oversees the Information Systems and Software Development departments and is responsible for identifying and implementing technology to support the Rodeo’s strategic technology goals. Additionally, Crane provides thought leadership in technology to support all divisions at the Rodeo, its staff and volunteers.

Previously, Crane served as chief information officer for MORSCO/The Reece Group, an $8 billion waterworks, plumbing and heating and cooling equipment (HVAC) manufacturer and distributor. He was responsible for the global strategy, direction and operation of global application portfolio, infrastructure, architecture, information security, IT governance, e-commerce, and project/program management.

He holds a Master of Computer Science and an MBA from Houston Baptist University, as well as top IT operational, security and privacy certifications, including Certified Information Security Manager and Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Crane is a frequent speaker at technology conferences and advisor to digital start-ups. In his spare time, he enjoys long-distance hiking, blacksmithing, working in artificial intelligence and volunteering for the Boy Scouts.

MELINDA “MEL” REEVES

CHIEF VOLUNTEER & HR OFFICER

As chief volunteer and HR officer, Melinda Reeves is responsible for maintaining a positive and collaborative environment at the Rodeo. She oversees the Rodeo’s 120-plus staff and 35,000 volunteers, managing the hiring, training, professional development and performance evaluation processes. Reeves also oversees all internal communications across Rodeo staff and volunteers.

Prior to joining the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, she served as an executive vice president at Direct Energy and Centrica. As an EVP she was the Global Head of Organization Effectiveness and led Strategic HR Business Partnering for the Commercial Business Division. Reeves was responsible for leading a global team of HR partners, providing strategic consultation and developing talent capabilities, as well as leading global internal communications and culture transformation.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin, has received multiple HR certifications and serves on numerous boards, including LiftFund and the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council.